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
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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
Sergio Candido, CBS News, 11 May 2026
The moon spends the day drifting through the numinous and intuitive sign of Pisces, pulling our attention inward.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 11 May 2026
Fire crews from the Florida Forest Services, Broward Fire Rescue, Miami-Dade Fire Rescue, and Pembroke Pines Fire Rescue are working to suppress the flames, which have sent smoke and ash drifting into parts of Weston and Pembroke Pines.
—Megan Vaz, Sun Sentinel, 11 May 2026
Clicks Technology’s Gadway said the company’s device emphasizes messaging and core functions, aiming to keep users focused on their original tasks instead of drifting into other apps.
—Sydney Goh, CNBC, 9 May 2026
Then, the superyacht spends days drifting between uninhabited islands, before the final leg, which crosses into the San Blas Islands.
—Dea Jusufi, Forbes.com, 9 May 2026
John began drifting toward the exhibit.
—Literary Hub, 8 May 2026
In the documents, astronauts describe observing flashes of light, drifting particles and distant objects while traveling to and from the Moon.
—Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 8 May 2026
Jason Patric, then only 23, stars as Kevin Collins, known as Collie, a former boxer who escapes from a mental institution and is now just drifting.
—Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2026
Verb
Smoke from the Max Road Fire was drifting north and northwest Monday morning due to a light southeast breeze.
—Sergio Candido, CBS News, 11 May 2026
The moon spends the day drifting through the numinous and intuitive sign of Pisces, pulling our attention inward.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 11 May 2026
Fire crews from the Florida Forest Services, Broward Fire Rescue, Miami-Dade Fire Rescue, and Pembroke Pines Fire Rescue are working to suppress the flames, which have sent smoke and ash drifting into parts of Weston and Pembroke Pines.
—Megan Vaz, Sun Sentinel, 11 May 2026
Clicks Technology’s Gadway said the company’s device emphasizes messaging and core functions, aiming to keep users focused on their original tasks instead of drifting into other apps.
—Sydney Goh, CNBC, 9 May 2026
Then, the superyacht spends days drifting between uninhabited islands, before the final leg, which crosses into the San Blas Islands.
—Dea Jusufi, Forbes.com, 9 May 2026
John began drifting toward the exhibit.
—Literary Hub, 8 May 2026
In the documents, astronauts describe observing flashes of light, drifting particles and distant objects while traveling to and from the Moon.
—Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 8 May 2026
Jason Patric, then only 23, stars as Kevin Collins, known as Collie, a former boxer who escapes from a mental institution and is now just drifting.
—Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for drifting
Adjective
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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
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Customers should expect an ROI within 12 months or less after implementing the Locus Array depending on the speed of deployment and the types of SKUs flowing through the system, Peterson said.—
Glenn Taylor,
Footwear News,
12 May 2026
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Hosting a dinner party is infinitely more enjoyable with a partner in crime to help curate the playlist and the guest list, keep the conversation and the drinks flowing, and take a load off the planning.—
Kate McGregor,
Architectural Digest,
12 May 2026
Verb
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The House Foreign Affairs Committee marked up 21 bills in a single session last month and eight separate, additional bills are floating around Congress related to advanced AI and export controls, including the Safe Chips Act and the Chip Security Act.—
Amanda Gerut,
Fortune,
13 May 2026
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Designed by Carlo Mollino, the floating 1950s retreat retains many of the legendary Italian designer’s original interiors and custom furnishings.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
13 May 2026
Verb
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Again, no details, and fans' minds are wandering as far as this being an arena or battle royale mode, but that would be a little surprising.—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2026
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While strolling through Central Park in 1987, Honda spotted the artist wandering with no guards and an elderly woman by her side.—
Julius Miller
Follow,
Los Angeles Times,
14 May 2026
Verb
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Celeste Ecoflyers’ aircraft design emphasizes gliding capability for safe landings even in engine failure, combining low weight with operational robustness.—
Chris Young,
Interesting Engineering,
14 May 2026
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With that in mind, Scott, Bournemouth’s gliding ball-carrier, is another who could help after an impressive season for a team who could yet finish above Liverpool in the table.—
Gregg Evans,
New York Times,
13 May 2026
Verb
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The pair finished up with Colbert sending a congratulatory cake from the network – a multi-layered wedding-style beast – sailing downward.—
Greg Evans,
Deadline,
15 May 2026
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But a small number of ships with Iranian cargo are still sailing.—
Adina Renner,
New York Times,
15 May 2026
Verb
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In a post on its website, the Humane Society said free-roaming rabbits that are used to living outdoors don’t often adapt well to being pets.—
Becca Savransky,
Idaho Statesman,
11 May 2026
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Villagers had allegedly complained that packs of stray dogs were often roaming the area before the incident occurred, per the outlet.—
Desiree Anello,
PEOPLE,
10 May 2026
Adjective
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Thankfully, Babitz did exactly that — no rambling thoughts, petty accusations or amusing missives left unsaid.—
Michael Schaub,
Los Angeles Times,
12 May 2026
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Despite this rambling semi-introduction, Newman’s film makes quick work of all of this, recognizing that getting to the Tova-and-Cameron show (with, of course, many guest appearances by Marcellus) is the entire point of the picture.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
7 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Drifting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drifting. Accessed 17 May. 2026.
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