1
as in ranging
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
1
as in flowing
to move or proceed smoothly and readily
casual conversation drifting from one topic to another
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of drifting
Arion McNicoll, TheWeek, 15 June 2026
Keeping his thoughts from drifting too much, even about Cuba, has propelled his career forward.
—Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 15 June 2026
Tables are set right beside and along the sand, with sea breezes drifting through and a menu of coastal ingredients cooked over open flames.
—Skye Sherman, Southern Living, 13 June 2026
But drifting back toward baseline is not the same as crossing into new, worse territory.
—Allison Palmer
updated June 13, Kansas City Star, 13 June 2026
Since 2020, several West African boats have been found in the Caribbean and Latin America with only dead bodies on board after drifting across the Atlantic, pushed by trade winds and currents.
—ABC News, 12 June 2026
Wolf remembers the smell of blood drifting through the air.
—Janelle Griffith, PEOPLE, 12 June 2026
That flank hasn’t been nailed down by anyone in recent times, with Rodrygo suffering an ACL injury, Franco Mastantuono unconvincing, and Arda Guler drifting further into the middle.
—Tom Sanderson, Forbes.com, 11 June 2026
Honeywell shares are drifting lower after the company reaffirmed its full-year outlook and provided new guidance for Honeywell Technologies, the name of the remaining company following the separation of its aerospace business.
—Jeff Marks, CNBC, 8 June 2026
Verb
This means there are never any strangers drifting past your breakfast table or competing for loungers.
—Arion McNicoll, TheWeek, 15 June 2026
Keeping his thoughts from drifting too much, even about Cuba, has propelled his career forward.
—Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 15 June 2026
Tables are set right beside and along the sand, with sea breezes drifting through and a menu of coastal ingredients cooked over open flames.
—Skye Sherman, Southern Living, 13 June 2026
But drifting back toward baseline is not the same as crossing into new, worse territory.
—Allison Palmer
updated June 13, Kansas City Star, 13 June 2026
Since 2020, several West African boats have been found in the Caribbean and Latin America with only dead bodies on board after drifting across the Atlantic, pushed by trade winds and currents.
—ABC News, 12 June 2026
Wolf remembers the smell of blood drifting through the air.
—Janelle Griffith, PEOPLE, 12 June 2026
That flank hasn’t been nailed down by anyone in recent times, with Rodrygo suffering an ACL injury, Franco Mastantuono unconvincing, and Arda Guler drifting further into the middle.
—Tom Sanderson, Forbes.com, 11 June 2026
Honeywell shares are drifting lower after the company reaffirmed its full-year outlook and provided new guidance for Honeywell Technologies, the name of the remaining company following the separation of its aerospace business.
—Jeff Marks, CNBC, 8 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for drifting
Adjective
-
Controlled mind-wandering – Mind-wandering is a spontaneous zoning out of your immediate surroundings.—
Eric Zillmer,
The Conversation,
18 June 2026
-
Their newest roams freer musically, with an unburdened wandering feel.—
Jon Dolan,
Rolling Stone,
8 June 2026
Adjective
-
He-Man was now a jolly, quip-ready hero, whose best friends were scaredy-cat Cringer (a green-and-yellow tiger who transformed into Battle Cat), and an annoying, hovering magician called Orko.—
Richard Edwards,
Space.com,
1 June 2026
-
This is surprising for something that is supposed to require less hovering, especially if the host is out of hearing range of the device's alerts.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Billions of dollars are flowing into the game through the NBA’s new TV deal, with even more money likely on the horizon thanks to expansion fees.—
Nick Friedell,
New York Times,
17 June 2026
-
Your creativity is flowing and needs a practical outlet during the Cancer moon.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
16 June 2026
Verb
-
Plan a day trip floating along the river or utilize the many campsites for a multi-day journey.—
Kelsey Yandura,
Midwest Living,
17 June 2026
-
One sixty-year-old from Fukushima was discovered two days later, ten miles out at sea, floating on a piece of the roof of his home.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
17 June 2026
Verb
-
Accessible only by passenger ferry or private boat, Georgia's largest and southernmost barrier island feels worlds away from the mainland, thanks to its maritime forests, expansive salt marshes, shimmering coastal waters, and wild horses roaming the dunes.—
Lauren Dana Ellman,
Travel + Leisure,
14 June 2026
-
Let Florida panthers resume roaming by night in one of the last swaths of wilderness left to them.—
Eve Samples,
The Orlando Sentinel,
12 June 2026
Adjective
-
Blackened with volcanic rock and encircled by towering waves, the tumultuous scenery makes a vivid psychic landscape for So Help Me God, a rambling spell of ’70s-era soul and exuberant orchestral folk-pop that sweeps through the fog of heartbreak and the clarity of self-discovery.—
Kiana Mickles,
Pitchfork,
15 June 2026
-
Lady Banks’ rose (Rosa banksiae) is a large, rambling rose that can quickly grow up to 20 feet long.—
Daniel Scott,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 June 2026
Adjective
-
Opt for bigger hanging bulbs, discrete flickers, or even hanging sheaths.—
Patricia Shannon,
Southern Living,
3 Apr. 2026
-
To maintain the immersive illusion, Iñárritu eschewed traditional hanging fabric.—
Robert Lang,
Deadline,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
After dark, visitors may even spot manta rays gliding through the water.—
Lauren Dana Ellman,
Travel + Leisure,
14 June 2026
-
The Americans were less cohesive without Pulisic in the second half, but Reyna still added the finishing touch by gliding into the box and toe-flicking home his first World Cup goal.—
Greg Beacham,
Chicago Tribune,
13 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Drifting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drifting. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
