1
as in flowing
to move or proceed smoothly and readily
casual conversation drifting from one topic to another
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in floating
to rest or move along the surface of a liquid or in the air
the boat drifted along on the current
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in wandering
to move about from place to place aimlessly
spent several years drifting from town to town, picking up odd jobs whenever he needed cash
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in ranging
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of drifting
Jesse Hassenger, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2025
If yields are simply drifting higher, then buyers do tend to step in, said Steve Sosnick, chief strategist at Interactive Brokers.
—Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 4 Sep. 2025
Divorced and in middle age, Choi’s mother is seized by wanderlust, setting out for Alaska, then drifting through a series of short-term stays elsewhere.
—Rebecca Mead, New Yorker, 3 Sep. 2025
In some areas, the pollution comes from drifting wildfire smoke.
—Matthew Robinson, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025
Even minor sparks or drifting embers can incite nearby foliage or grass, setting off a rapidly spreading fire.
—Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Just weeks after a previous UFO turned out to be a drifting hot water heater, their second mystery fizzled out just as oddly.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 2 Sep. 2025
Potential concerns included security and nearby farm pesticides drifting into the outdoor growing areas.
—Robert McCoppin, Chicago Tribune, 2 Sep. 2025
Discovered on July 1 by the ATLAS (Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System), 3I/ATLAS is just the third-ever object found drifting through our solar system that is believed to have originated from around another star.
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Adjective
The org chart becomes clearer as the season progresses, but that also involves both Ken and Esmeralda’s subplots drifting away from the main action.
—Jesse Hassenger, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2025
If yields are simply drifting higher, then buyers do tend to step in, said Steve Sosnick, chief strategist at Interactive Brokers.
—Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 4 Sep. 2025
Divorced and in middle age, Choi’s mother is seized by wanderlust, setting out for Alaska, then drifting through a series of short-term stays elsewhere.
—Rebecca Mead, New Yorker, 3 Sep. 2025
In some areas, the pollution comes from drifting wildfire smoke.
—Matthew Robinson, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025
Even minor sparks or drifting embers can incite nearby foliage or grass, setting off a rapidly spreading fire.
—Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Just weeks after a previous UFO turned out to be a drifting hot water heater, their second mystery fizzled out just as oddly.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 2 Sep. 2025
Potential concerns included security and nearby farm pesticides drifting into the outdoor growing areas.
—Robert McCoppin, Chicago Tribune, 2 Sep. 2025
Discovered on July 1 by the ATLAS (Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System), 3I/ATLAS is just the third-ever object found drifting through our solar system that is believed to have originated from around another star.
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for drifting
Verb
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The Risk Perception Gap Despite these compelling examples and the long track record of inclusive finance institutions, capital is not flowing in sufficient amounts for inclusive finance institutions to develop their climate adaptation initiatives.—
Felicia Jackson,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
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The river was flowing swiftly, washing away many people.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Sweeney recalls, hovering between the deli counter and shelves of bagged popcorn.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
4 Sep. 2025
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That's how long Americans have been hovering around the same level of financial literacy—with little sign of real progress.—
Kevin Cohee,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The 300-second exposure shows the wandering solar system body as a minute dot, barely distinguishable among the stellar giants populating the distant starfield beyond.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
1 Sep. 2025
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Fuel up for a day of wandering with a coffee at Dripolator.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
1 Sep. 2025
Verb
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During my late April stay, the water was still and inviting—ideal for a morning kayaking session, gliding quietly across the lake's surface.—
Susmita Baral,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Sep. 2025
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Location Anchored between Blackfriars Bridge and the Tate Modern, Sea Containers is a front-row perch to London’s cultural tide—where the Thames unfurls like a silver sash, ferries gliding past in a daily ballet of commuters and sightseers.—
Lewis Nunn,
Forbes.com,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The park service reminded the public to wear a life jacket when swimming, floating, fishing or boating on the Delaware River.—
Stephen Sorace,
FOXNews.com,
4 Sep. 2025
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School shootings are an obvious one, made explicitly so by Archer seeing a giant AK-47 with the number 217 in red floating above a house.—
Bill Goodykoontz,
AZCentral.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The herd roaming the Gila Wilderness, however, is expected to be hunted in 1970 and 1971.—
Tim Kelly,
Outdoor Life,
4 Sep. 2025
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Katie Wiseman Many Hoosiers were surprised last month to learn that armadillos can be spotted roaming around southern Indiana.—
Katie Wiseman,
IndyStar,
4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Of the other methods – including electrocution, lethal gas and hanging – lethal injection had the highest botch rate of more than 7%. ‘An embrace of brutality’ Still, states have remained averse to the firing squad, a position that experts who spoke to CNN believe stems from its overt violence.—
Dakin Andone,
CNN Money,
10 Apr. 2025
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The neutral material keeps it from looking like an eye sore and can be expanded for more hanging space as needed.—
Micaela Arnett,
Rolling Stone,
10 Jan. 2024
Verb
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Southlake Carroll, an eight-time state champion, knocked off Hebron twice last season — a 42-37 third-round playoff thriller, after cruising to a 59-16 win early in regular season.—
Mike Waters,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
5 Sep. 2025
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Bo Bichette and Alejandro Kirk are cruising toward their best offensive seasons.—
Mitch Bannon,
New York Times,
4 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Drifting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drifting. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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