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
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Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of drifting
Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 27 Oct. 2025
No leaves on the trees, few birds in the sky; the spacious vistas interdicted in all directions by armed men in black uniforms—police at the perimeter barricades, police on motorcycles, police drifting overhead in helicopters.
—Henry Freedland, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
On the forecast track, its center is expected to begin drifting westward on Saturday and continue through Monday, bringing it just south of Jamaica early next week.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 24 Oct. 2025
The trend suggests that younger voters—who briefly warmed to Trump during the 2024 election—are once again drifting away.
—Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
Corals spawn by releasing eggs and sperm to mix in the water and settle, but ocean currents will prevent those reproductive cells from drifting south, Cunning said.
—Evan Bush, NBC news, 23 Oct. 2025
Celebrate México’s traditions Imagine the scent of Marigolds in the air, candles reflected in the water, and music drifting throughout the mangroves as families gather to honor their ancestors.
—AFAR Media, 22 Oct. 2025
According to Reuters, 58 reports describe Teslas blowing through red lights, drifting into the wrong lanes and even crashing at intersections.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2025
Under Massimiliano Allegri, Pulisic now operates closer to goal in a narrower, inside-channel role — drifting between the lines as a second striker or advanced No 10.
—Sukhman Singh, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
Outside, the aroma of turmeric, cardamom, and garam masala mingles with the sweet haze of incense drifting down the street and masking the underworld accused of hiding just around the corner.
—Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 27 Oct. 2025
No leaves on the trees, few birds in the sky; the spacious vistas interdicted in all directions by armed men in black uniforms—police at the perimeter barricades, police on motorcycles, police drifting overhead in helicopters.
—Henry Freedland, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
On the forecast track, its center is expected to begin drifting westward on Saturday and continue through Monday, bringing it just south of Jamaica early next week.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 24 Oct. 2025
The trend suggests that younger voters—who briefly warmed to Trump during the 2024 election—are once again drifting away.
—Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
Corals spawn by releasing eggs and sperm to mix in the water and settle, but ocean currents will prevent those reproductive cells from drifting south, Cunning said.
—Evan Bush, NBC news, 23 Oct. 2025
Celebrate México’s traditions Imagine the scent of Marigolds in the air, candles reflected in the water, and music drifting throughout the mangroves as families gather to honor their ancestors.
—AFAR Media, 22 Oct. 2025
According to Reuters, 58 reports describe Teslas blowing through red lights, drifting into the wrong lanes and even crashing at intersections.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2025
Under Massimiliano Allegri, Pulisic now operates closer to goal in a narrower, inside-channel role — drifting between the lines as a second striker or advanced No 10.
—Sukhman Singh, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for drifting
Verb
-
Just below her hips was a flowing tulle design.—
Angel Saunders,
PEOPLE,
22 Oct. 2025
-
By the next year, hundreds of thousands of dollars from people with links to the developers began flowing into the campaign coffers of state Republican lawmakers, campaign expense reports show.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
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These sausage bites are the appetizer that will keep crowds hovering around the buffet table.—
Mary Alice Russell,
Southern Living,
22 Oct. 2025
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Disney+ churn rates had been steady at around 3-4 percent per month consistently this year, with churn rates at Hulu hovering at 4-5 percent per month.—
Alex Weprin,
HollywoodReporter,
20 Oct. 2025
Verb
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With the strap down, these clogs hold the heel securely and are great for wandering around the streets of a foreign city, walking the dogs, or even a little hike.—
Jakob Schiller,
Outside,
18 Oct. 2025
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What looked like a shadow at first turned out to be the dog, skittish and exhausted from wandering.—
Ashley Vega,
PEOPLE,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Rickwood, high in the right circle spotted a wide-open Zellers gliding down the opposite side of the slot.—
Tris Wykes,
Twin Cities,
13 Oct. 2025
-
Plus, the aluminum plates coated in ceramic amp up even heat distribution, gliding through hair without snagging.—
Beatrice Zocchi,
Vogue,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The former ocean liner, which sailed from the 1930s to the 1960s, now serves as a floating hotel and offers paranormal after-hours tours.—
Kristine Hansen,
Travel + Leisure,
23 Oct. 2025
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For architecture fans, the hotel can help set up journeys to pagods and temples over 700 years old; other excursions on offer include trips to floating fishing villages such as Cửa Vạn and Vung Viêng and ethical pearl cultivation.—
Nicole Hoey,
Robb Report,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
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While some dogs were found roaming around the house, others were in cages.—
Caroline Neal,
Louisville Courier Journal,
22 Oct. 2025
-
From the Mercury and Gemini missions to the drama of Apollo 13, the launch of the Hubble Space Telescope, and the robotic explorers roaming Mars, NASA's history is packed with daring feats and scientific firsts.—
Kenna Hughes-Castleberry,
Space.com,
21 Oct. 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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Others may prefer Zodiac boat cruising, helicopter rides, or submarine dives.—
Ashton Palmer,
Travel + Leisure,
24 Oct. 2025
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Dozens of those over-the-top displays will be on our annual holiday lights map, which is used by individuals, bus tours, limo parties and others who have made cruising the Phoenix area in search of the biggest and brightest part of their holiday tradition.—
Arizona Republic,
AZCentral.com,
24 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Drifting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drifting. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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