1
as in flows
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 hovers
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 wanders
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
2
as in tides
a prevailing or general movement or inclination
the steady drift of the population away from large cities
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in senses
the idea that is conveyed or intended to be conveyed to the mind by language, symbol, or action
you should expect a visit from the stork, if you get my drift
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of drifts
Ben Cardew, Pitchfork, 2 May 2026
In this haunting and visually inventive documentary, a spectral voice drifts through time and memory to trace the Maidan revolution and the roots of resistance in Ukraine.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 29 Apr. 2026
Every time a breeze passes through, debris drifts down from rafters and corners onto your furniture and floor.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Kansas City Star, 27 Apr. 2026
Because Reacher drifts from city to city, each season typically comes with a whole new cast of characters.
—Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 27 Apr. 2026
But no matter how tightly Mama tries to wrap me in duty, my mind drifts, as do my eyes, over Lord Stockton's shoulders and around the room.
—Danielle Parker, CBS News, 24 Apr. 2026
Time drifts between the pool and the private villa pools, perhaps with pilates by the water’s edge.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026
Set clear expectations and timelines so nothing drifts.
—Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 21 Apr. 2026
Away from the city’s concrete and sounds, the scent of herbs drifts through the air and light pours in from the floor-to-ceiling windows.
—Travel + Leisure Editors, Travel + Leisure, 15 Apr. 2026
Audrey Pachuta, Chicago Tribune, 27 Apr. 2026
If the stock just manages a standard technical bounce and drifts above the $240 level by expiration, both last week's spread and this week's spread are positioned to cross the finish line as full 100% winners.
—Nishant Pant, CNBC, 14 Apr. 2026
The gusts redistributed snow on the avalanche slope, piling it into drifts far deeper than surrounding sites.
—Matthias Gafni, San Francisco Chronicle, 4 Apr. 2026
The research demonstrates that the interaction between core rotation and cross-field drifts produces a larger effect than either component does on its own.
—Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 3 Apr. 2026
Since Wednesday, more than a foot of new snow has fallen in some areas, with gusty winds redistributing that snow into deeper, more dangerous drifts.
—Callie Zanandrie, CBS News, 2 Apr. 2026
Avoid areas that are elevated, near trees or structures, in old snow or drifts, or where melting has occurred.
—Sophie Carson, jsonline.com, 16 Mar. 2026
Embrace a design strategy that focuses on grouping plants in drifts or mass plantings.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Mar. 2026
Instead, Zeisig treats the project like a beat tape, preferring static mats of sound and dynamically unyielding drifts over crescendoes and catharsis.
—Daniel Bromfield, Pitchfork, 10 Mar. 2026
Verb
The song slowly drifts away, its job completed.
—Ben Cardew, Pitchfork, 2 May 2026
In this haunting and visually inventive documentary, a spectral voice drifts through time and memory to trace the Maidan revolution and the roots of resistance in Ukraine.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 29 Apr. 2026
Every time a breeze passes through, debris drifts down from rafters and corners onto your furniture and floor.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Kansas City Star, 27 Apr. 2026
Because Reacher drifts from city to city, each season typically comes with a whole new cast of characters.
—Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 27 Apr. 2026
But no matter how tightly Mama tries to wrap me in duty, my mind drifts, as do my eyes, over Lord Stockton's shoulders and around the room.
—Danielle Parker, CBS News, 24 Apr. 2026
Time drifts between the pool and the private villa pools, perhaps with pilates by the water’s edge.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026
Set clear expectations and timelines so nothing drifts.
—Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 21 Apr. 2026
Away from the city’s concrete and sounds, the scent of herbs drifts through the air and light pours in from the floor-to-ceiling windows.
—Travel + Leisure Editors, Travel + Leisure, 15 Apr. 2026
Noun
The greatest risk for severe thunderstorms this afternoon is south of Interstate 80, but officials warn the threat could shift if the warm front drifts further north than currently expected.
—Audrey Pachuta, Chicago Tribune, 27 Apr. 2026
If the stock just manages a standard technical bounce and drifts above the $240 level by expiration, both last week's spread and this week's spread are positioned to cross the finish line as full 100% winners.
—Nishant Pant, CNBC, 14 Apr. 2026
The gusts redistributed snow on the avalanche slope, piling it into drifts far deeper than surrounding sites.
—Matthias Gafni, San Francisco Chronicle, 4 Apr. 2026
The research demonstrates that the interaction between core rotation and cross-field drifts produces a larger effect than either component does on its own.
—Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 3 Apr. 2026
Since Wednesday, more than a foot of new snow has fallen in some areas, with gusty winds redistributing that snow into deeper, more dangerous drifts.
—Callie Zanandrie, CBS News, 2 Apr. 2026
Avoid areas that are elevated, near trees or structures, in old snow or drifts, or where melting has occurred.
—Sophie Carson, jsonline.com, 16 Mar. 2026
Embrace a design strategy that focuses on grouping plants in drifts or mass plantings.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Mar. 2026
Instead, Zeisig treats the project like a beat tape, preferring static mats of sound and dynamically unyielding drifts over crescendoes and catharsis.
—Daniel Bromfield, Pitchfork, 10 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for drifts
Verb
-
But molten rock flows through all of them, and eventually, something cracks, breaks, and explodes.—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
8 May 2026
-
Each evening, live music flows from the dining room onto Ocean Drive, where a percussionist, guitarist, and vocalist’s sounds invite diners for an impromptu salsa dance session.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
Average annual income hovers around $58,000, reflecting a shortage of high-wage opportunities.—
Linh Tat,
Oc Register,
4 May 2026
-
Towing capacity hovers around 6,500 pounds (2,948 kg), depending on configuration.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
3 May 2026
Verb
-
Maybe once a month someone wanders into the Sacramento Turn Verein, curious about the place, according to member Uli Pelz.—
Graham Womack
May 2,
Sacbee.com,
2 May 2026
-
As Laugier’s story continues, the man wanders through a forest, stumbles upon fallen branches, and has an epiphany.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
1 May 2026
Noun
-
These trees and shrubs range in size from compact mounds to pyramidal trees, offering endless design opportunities.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
29 Apr. 2026
-
At the new Orkin Discovery Zone inside the Fernbank Museum of Natural History in Atlanta, visitors can learn how termites and the mounds these bulbous invertebrates make have inspired the chimneys in our homes.—
Olivia Wakim,
AJC.com,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Like Pisces, this flower grows in water, representing the fish that swim amongst the tides.—
Lisa Stardust,
PEOPLE,
9 May 2026
-
The tides had shifted, nearly stranding us.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 May 2026
Noun
-
Go for a subtle scent that catches in the breeze rather than overpowers the senses.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
9 May 2026
-
The experiment relied on a sensitive piece of equipment known as a torsion balance, a device that senses minute forces by measuring the twisting angle, or torsion, of metal masses suspended on a thin fiber, which must be operated in a vacuum.—
Katie Hunt,
CNN Money,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
Brazzell is a 6-foot-4, 198-pound target who glides by his opposing corners with ease.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
28 Apr. 2026
-
As the late '70s disco hit Stayin' Alive fills the Addison dance studio, instructor Maya Apodaca glides across the floor.—
Robbie Owens,
CBS News,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Known as Wingspan, the 6,150-square-foot residence takes its name from the parabolic roofline that floats above the structure like an airplane wing.—
Tori Latham,
Robb Report,
8 May 2026
-
Hathaway’s White Queen floats with sweet highs and dark lows, her heavenly air masking a morbid psychosis.—
Chris Feil,
Vulture,
1 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Drifts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drifts. Accessed 12 May. 2026.
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