1
as in ranging
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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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of drifting
Jim Woods, Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 2026
Even college football is drifting toward a more fragmented, paywalled future.
—Maxwell Adler, Vanity Fair, 31 Mar. 2026
As new leadership is considered, the lesson of the pandemic is not that the agency should be weakened, but that it must be refocused after drifting from its core mission.
—Charles J. Lockwood, STAT, 31 Mar. 2026
Brent crude futures for May delivery climbed to their near peak in the futures market Sunday evening, before drifting down to $113 on Monday.
—Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 30 Mar. 2026
Investors have grown more anxious about inflation, with Treasury yields rising and consumer surveys showing short‑term price expectations drifting upward.
—Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
Even minor sparks or drifting embers can incite nearby foliage or grass, setting off a rapidly spreading fire.
—Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 28 Mar. 2026
For some, including neighboring musicians, the slow pace of baseball perfectly complements the rhythm of drifting on the water.
—Loureen Ayyoub, CBS News, 28 Mar. 2026
Thursday will be mostly sunny, with patches of fair weather clouds drifting through periodically.
—Greg Porter, San Francisco Chronicle, 26 Mar. 2026
Verb
Conley noted that the car was drifting in its lane and had a license plate obscured.
—Jim Woods, Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 2026
Even college football is drifting toward a more fragmented, paywalled future.
—Maxwell Adler, Vanity Fair, 31 Mar. 2026
As new leadership is considered, the lesson of the pandemic is not that the agency should be weakened, but that it must be refocused after drifting from its core mission.
—Charles J. Lockwood, STAT, 31 Mar. 2026
Brent crude futures for May delivery climbed to their near peak in the futures market Sunday evening, before drifting down to $113 on Monday.
—Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 30 Mar. 2026
Investors have grown more anxious about inflation, with Treasury yields rising and consumer surveys showing short‑term price expectations drifting upward.
—Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
Even minor sparks or drifting embers can incite nearby foliage or grass, setting off a rapidly spreading fire.
—Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 28 Mar. 2026
For some, including neighboring musicians, the slow pace of baseball perfectly complements the rhythm of drifting on the water.
—Loureen Ayyoub, CBS News, 28 Mar. 2026
Thursday will be mostly sunny, with patches of fair weather clouds drifting through periodically.
—Greg Porter, San Francisco Chronicle, 26 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for drifting
Adjective
-
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
-
Wang is an extraordinarily mobile player for his size, with impressive skating technique through his inside and outside edges laterally and flowing mechanics going north or back to pucks.—
Scott Wheeler,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2026
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Gone is the long, flowing hair — which accompanied his first five years in the big leagues — and in is a fresh, short cut.—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Documents from Department of Environmental Protection noted, and smelled, floating fuel visible beneath the tanks.—
Ashley Miznazi,
Miami Herald,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Earlier in the day, Gunn took to social media to rebut an item from Deadline floating names that had allegedly tested for the role.—
Aaron Couch,
HollywoodReporter,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Wear it with sandals to the beach, throw on sneakers for wandering around town, and add a cardigan when the evening gets breezy.—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
4 Apr. 2026
-
In addition to wandering tourists, expect to see theater crew, set designers, actors, and matronly sensei in pastel kimonos and big, pinned up hairdos haunting the vicinity.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
One of my favorites was an oil-on-wood-panel work by the young talent Lau Yin Yeung titled Ferry gliding through the sea of fog.—
Matt Ortile,
Condé Nast Traveler,
31 Mar. 2026
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The Moon is gliding into your 3rd House of Discussions, encouraging thoughtful messages that show patience and explain your intentions for upcoming events.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Valid for British Isles Explorer itineraries sailing in 2026 or 2027, or for another itinerary and extension of equal or lesser value—within the same stateroom category or lower—during the same period, if the itinerary and extension offered is not available.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Another bulk carrier, the Mac Hope, identifying itself as sailing under Chinese ownership and with a Chinese crew, also transited the strait on Monday, MarineTraffic data show.—
Lucia I Suarez Sang,
CBS News,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The whole thing was a striking visual spectacle, too — waves of musicians rising from both sides, backup singers swaying and clapping, spotlights sweeping across the floor as a roaming camera zipped through the crowd like a drone that had just discovered country music.—
Theoden Janes,
Charlotte Observer,
6 Apr. 2026
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Other tips include not leaving pet food outside, not touching or feeding free-roaming animals, keeping yard landscaping trimmed, keeping lids on trash containers, and closing home crawlspaces.—
Julie Sharp,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The North Carolina folk-rock band’s quiet and rambling third album exists in a cloud of dreamy contemplation.—
Jayson Greene,
Pitchfork,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Trump’s speech was at times entertaining, rambling, repetitive, and combative.—
Matthew Martin,
semafor.com,
30 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Drifting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drifting. Accessed 9 Apr. 2026.
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