Synonyms of drifting

drifting 1 of 2

adjective

1

as in ranging

Related Words

• ranging
• wandering
• meandering
• rambling
• roaming
• roving
• nomadic
• ambulatory
• itinerant
• peripatetic
• vagrant
• walking
• footloose
• nomad
• wayfaring
• errant
• peregrine
• ambulant
• vagabond
• migrant
• gallivanting
• fugitive
• migratory
• perambulatory
• sauntering
• traipsing
• strolling

Dissimilar Words

• static
• stationary
• standing
• settled
• motionless
• still
• immobile
• nonmoving

2

as in hovering

Related Words

• hovering
• sailing
• hanging
• gliding
• wafting
• floating
• poised
• free-floating
• afloat
• awash
• buoyant
• floaty
• unsinkable

Dissimilar Words

• sinking
• sunk
• high and dry
• aground

drifting

2 of 2

verb

present participle of drift

1

as in flowing

to move or proceed smoothly and readily

casual conversation drifting from one topic to another

Synonyms & Similar Words

• flowing
• gliding
• cruising
• sailing
• sliding
• slipping
• rolling
• flying
• sweeping
• brushing
• racing
• coasting
• speeding
• streaming
• bowling
• rushing
• skimming
• breezing
• whisking

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• struggling
• floundering
• stumbling
• trudging
• shuffling
• limping
• plodding
• lumbering
• laboring
• stamping
• stomping
• tramping
• toiling
• shambling
• stumping

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

• hovering
• floating
• sailing
• swimming
• gliding
• riding
• bobbing
• wafting
• hanging
• dangling
• poising
• suspending
• buoying
• rafting
• ballooning

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• settling
• sinking
• plunging
• diving
• lunging
• dipping
• submerging
• immersing
• submersing

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

• wandering
• roaming
• floating
• cruising
• strolling
• meandering
• ranging
• roving
• knocking (about)
• rambling
• traipsing
• gallivanting
• batting
• sauntering
• ambling
• gadding (about)
• mooching
• maundering
• kicking around
• dawdling
• straying
• moping
• straggling
• tramping
• milling (about or around)
• hoboing
• vagabonding

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of drifting

Verb

The generation with the most to lose The clearest evidence that confidence and competence are drifting apart shows up in the generational data. — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 25 Aug. 2026

Dark, light-absorbing particles turn into light-scattering particles, transforming dark, dense plumes into the milky white haze seen drifting across the eastern skies. — Michael A. Robinson, The Conversation, 25 Aug. 2026

Previously, the state Department of Agriculture interpreted that to mean that outdoor growing was prohibited, citing concerns over security and agricultural pesticides drifting into marijuana crops. — Robert McCoppin, Chicago Tribune, 20 Aug. 2026

If the object is drifting through the field of view from left to right, place it on the far left to keep it in view for as long as possible. — Jamie Carter, Space.com, 18 Aug. 2026

And Chiles is the most versatile — capable of drifting between edge rusher and a coverage aide. — Noah White, Miami Herald, 18 Aug. 2026

Making this role explicit prevents conversations from drifting toward decisions that no one actually has the authority to make—or ending without any decision at all. — Alison Wood Brooks, Harvard Business Review, 17 Aug. 2026

The only infrastructure around here consists of Thomas Kinkadesque brick cottages, tranquilly drifting dhows, or yurts. — Erita Chen, New Yorker, 14 Aug. 2026

If decisions about that work keep drifting toward people at spreadsheet distance from it, the mistakes will not land on them. — Lars Daniel, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2026