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
Noel Burgess,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2026
People often watch them with comments from other viewers drifting across their screens.
—
Lavender Au,
The Dial,
30 June 2026
For now, GasBuddy anticipates the national average will continue drifting lower this week, though the situation remains anything but predictable.
—
Miami Herald Staff Report,
Miami Herald,
29 June 2026
The culprit surrendered to police before melting into a gas and drifting away.
—
K. Thor Jensen,
PC Magazine,
26 June 2026
Even minor sparks or drifting embers can incite nearby foliage or grass, setting off a rapidly spreading fire.
—
Ca Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
25 June 2026
The bedroom window was open wide, the char of campfire smoke drifting through.
—
Literary Hub,
22 June 2026
Most concerning, according to an analysis by the San Diego County Taxpayers Association, is a 2026-27 spending plan that is balanced on paper but drifting steadily toward a structural deficit like the one that haunts the city of San Diego.
—
Jeff McDonald,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
21 June 2026
His thoughts are drifting to the environment and to other world events - through the lens of a new dad.
—
Kamala Thiagarajan,
NPR,
21 June 2026
Verb
Without it, the experience risks drifting into the broad category of pretty resort dinner.
—
Noel Burgess,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2026
People often watch them with comments from other viewers drifting across their screens.
—
Lavender Au,
The Dial,
30 June 2026
For now, GasBuddy anticipates the national average will continue drifting lower this week, though the situation remains anything but predictable.
—
Miami Herald Staff Report,
Miami Herald,
29 June 2026
The culprit surrendered to police before melting into a gas and drifting away.
—
K. Thor Jensen,
PC Magazine,
26 June 2026
Even minor sparks or drifting embers can incite nearby foliage or grass, setting off a rapidly spreading fire.
—
Ca Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
25 June 2026
The bedroom window was open wide, the char of campfire smoke drifting through.
—
Literary Hub,
22 June 2026
Most concerning, according to an analysis by the San Diego County Taxpayers Association, is a 2026-27 spending plan that is balanced on paper but drifting steadily toward a structural deficit like the one that haunts the city of San Diego.
—
Jeff McDonald,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
21 June 2026
His thoughts are drifting to the environment and to other world events - through the lens of a new dad.
—
Kamala Thiagarajan,
NPR,
21 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for drifting
Adjective
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Controlled mind-wandering — Mind-wandering is a spontaneous zoning out of your immediate surroundings.
-
When a wandering wolf threatens his fragile peace and slaughters his flock, Gaspard, blinded by rage, embarks on a perilous quest for vengeance — one that will lead him to the farthest reaches of his sorrow and guilt.
Adjective
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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.
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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.
Verb
-
Traffic cameras in the area show eastbound traffic flowing.
-
At the center of the main floor is a chef’s kitchen outfitted with sleek custom cabinetry and expansive workspace, flowing easily into the living and dining areas.
Verb
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Recently, a small floating structure appeared on satellite photos near the entrance to the lagoon, raising alarm in and protests from the Philippines.
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The best parts of the film, scripted with little distinction by Ana Nogueira, are the flashbacks to Kara’s final months on what’s left of her dying home planet Krypton, or more specifically, the floating colony Argo City, also headed for destruction.
Verb
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On July 8, the Inyo National Forest will begin rounding up horses from the Montgomery Pass herd roaming beyond the roughly 200,000 acres designated for them along the California-Nevada border, according to a recent news release.
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The animals have been seen on airport runways, walking on golf courses, roaming near schools and causing panic in supermarkets and hot spring resorts almost on a daily basis.
Adjective
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Honeysuckle The warm, heady, floral scent of honeysuckle, which is strongest at dusk, is instantly recognizable, and the romantically rambling vines and tubular blooms make the climbing varieties cottage-garden classics.
-
Vocals have an offhand nonchalance instead of hogging the spotlight, melodies sneak up on you rather than announce themselves, and the guitars avoid crunchy riffs and overdriven twang in favor of tart rambling and clean supporting chords.
Adjective
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Opt for bigger hanging bulbs, discrete flickers, or even hanging sheaths.
-
To maintain the immersive illusion, Iñárritu eschewed traditional hanging fabric.
Verb
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And for the best views, get one of the small, stylish rooms on the fourth floor—you’ll be able to see the ships gliding by.
-
Mars is spending the final days of the month gliding past the famous Pleiades star cluster (also known as the Seven Sisters) and this celestial encounter will not be this easy to see again for years.
Cite this Entry
“Drifting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drifting. Accessed 2 Jul. 2026.
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