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
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of drifting
Christina Coulter, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
While the workers, in the trees, stay still, the bull’s looming, drifting presence gives frozen stillness an unambiguous motive and makes moments when people shift and even leap from branch to branch terrifyingly suspenseful.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 30 Oct. 2025
Anglers would cast three flies below a strike indicator, offering hungry trout a veritable buffet of options drifting downstream.
—Christine Peterson, Outdoor Life, 30 Oct. 2025
Even minor sparks or drifting embers can incite nearby foliage or grass, setting off a rapidly spreading fire.
—Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 28 Oct. 2025
After that, gravitational forces from the sun and nearby planets will likely pull it away, sending it drifting back into open space.
—Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Oct. 2025
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
Where the first half of the 1600 conversation explored how young men are drifting toward the right through grievance, alienation and algorithmic content, this installment challenges Democrats to confront their own inertia.
—Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
At 14, Wuornos gave birth to a son who was placed for adoption, and she was soon pushed out of the home and began drifting and hitchhiking, per the Netflix documentary.
—Christina Coulter, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
While the workers, in the trees, stay still, the bull’s looming, drifting presence gives frozen stillness an unambiguous motive and makes moments when people shift and even leap from branch to branch terrifyingly suspenseful.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 30 Oct. 2025
Anglers would cast three flies below a strike indicator, offering hungry trout a veritable buffet of options drifting downstream.
—Christine Peterson, Outdoor Life, 30 Oct. 2025
Even minor sparks or drifting embers can incite nearby foliage or grass, setting off a rapidly spreading fire.
—Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 28 Oct. 2025
After that, gravitational forces from the sun and nearby planets will likely pull it away, sending it drifting back into open space.
—Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Oct. 2025
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
Where the first half of the 1600 conversation explored how young men are drifting toward the right through grievance, alienation and algorithmic content, this installment challenges Democrats to confront their own inertia.
—Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for drifting
Verb
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If the Chinese truly agree to keep the supply of critical minerals flowing on an ongoing basis, the world will win.—
Mira Rapp-Hooper,
Foreign Affairs,
29 Oct. 2025
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European security sources believe a similarly opaque system, involving front companies that are little more than fake numbers and billing addresses, has been used to keep the sodium perchlorate flowing to Iran.—
Melissa Bell,
CNN Money,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
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West Ham were hovering above the relegation zone, which led to the reappointment of David Moyes, who replaced Manuel Pellegrini, and saw the January arrivals of stalwarts Jarrod Bowen and Tomas Soucek.—
Chris Weatherspoon,
New York Times,
31 Oct. 2025
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Another snippet from the trailer shows someone falling from the sky in the Upside Down as hovering masses of land bob around the clouds.—
Nick Romano,
Entertainment Weekly,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Deliberate mind wandering, where people give themselves the freedom to drift off-subject, allowing their thoughts to take a different course.—
Liz Regalia,
Parents,
28 Oct. 2025
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Rich Hill's wandering journey through the Major League Baseball landscape is truly unique.—
Jon Paul Hoornstra,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 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
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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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Add texture to beds, couches, and chairs with a plush faux rabbit fur throw blanket, incorporate a pop of color with a throw pillow, and dress up your walls with practical floating shelves or sconces.—
Rachel Trujillo,
PEOPLE,
31 Oct. 2025
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When Fort Baker, built in 1915, was decommissioned in the late 1980s, the land was handed over to the National Park Service, which spent years debating how to repurpose it — at one point even floating plans for a large convention complex.—
Benjamin Svetkey,
HollywoodReporter,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
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But even though Toews and Kane are still roaming NHL rinks, that past is pretty far back now.—
Mark Lazerus,
New York Times,
31 Oct. 2025
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If the press and talent guests are a select few, there’s more access to the folks roaming the halls.—
Anne Thompson,
IndieWire,
29 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 4 Nov. 2025.
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