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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of drifts
Robert Lea, Space.com, 5 Nov. 2025
Music drifts through the salt air as roadside vendors fry fish on bare concrete slabs, their foodstands long washed away.
—David Culver, CNN Money, 3 Nov. 2025
Alice, a middling student at a state university in Oklahoma, drifts from adolescent confusion into sleepless paranoia.
—The New Yorker, New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2025
Soon there are pet names, goodnight texts and then grief when the model updates and the chatbot’s personality drifts.
—Deni Ellis Béchard, Scientific American, 22 Oct. 2025
Between songs, the film drifts into dreamlike Parisian vignettes Aguilera contemplates love, motherhood, reinvention, and her career’s artistry.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2025
Occasionally, though — in Red Alert especially — the camera drifts over to a shot of Gaza, shining high-rises looming in the distance.
—Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 14 Oct. 2025
Every October, when Earth drifts through the dusty trail left behind by Comet 21P/Giacobini-Zinner, the Draconids make their cosmic comeback.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 6 Oct. 2025
When the conversation drifts toward music, Thomas again proclaims his fondness for KPop Demon Hunters.
—Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 5 Oct. 2025
Mark Carey, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025
Standing plants support wildlife, prevent snow drifts, and reduce urban flooding.
—Benjamin Vogt, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Oct. 2025
Tejera’s camera drifts between the political and the dreamlike.
—Emiliano De Pablos, Variety, 20 Oct. 2025
Hiking through the deep snow drifts above 26,000 feet is torturous and time consuming.
—Frederick Dreier, Outside, 8 Oct. 2025
But as the battle to save Ransom wages on, a mysterious cowboy drifts into town, dredging up secrets from the past.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 22 Sep. 2025
Zero computer intervention is fun, without a doubt, but also a little nerve-racking when small drifts of gravel dot the road and undulations in the asphalt can cause momentary losses in traction.
—Michael Teo Van Runkle, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
No Model Ts, no Chevrolet Ds, no Overland Model 90Bs, no automobiles in the thick drifts of snow on the streets.
—Beth Kephart
september 10, Literary Hub, 10 Sep. 2025
Grape hyacinth readily naturalizes in lawns and under trees, producing drifts of color in mid spring.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 24 Aug. 2025
Verb
This could then support the idea of a relic magnetic field existing in the intergalactic medium, the matter that drifts between galaxies.
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 5 Nov. 2025
Music drifts through the salt air as roadside vendors fry fish on bare concrete slabs, their foodstands long washed away.
—David Culver, CNN Money, 3 Nov. 2025
Alice, a middling student at a state university in Oklahoma, drifts from adolescent confusion into sleepless paranoia.
—The New Yorker, New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2025
Soon there are pet names, goodnight texts and then grief when the model updates and the chatbot’s personality drifts.
—Deni Ellis Béchard, Scientific American, 22 Oct. 2025
Between songs, the film drifts into dreamlike Parisian vignettes Aguilera contemplates love, motherhood, reinvention, and her career’s artistry.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2025
Occasionally, though — in Red Alert especially — the camera drifts over to a shot of Gaza, shining high-rises looming in the distance.
—Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 14 Oct. 2025
Every October, when Earth drifts through the dusty trail left behind by Comet 21P/Giacobini-Zinner, the Draconids make their cosmic comeback.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 6 Oct. 2025
When the conversation drifts toward music, Thomas again proclaims his fondness for KPop Demon Hunters.
—Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 5 Oct. 2025
Noun
Full-backs are encouraged to get up the pitch to support the attack and provide greater width, often creating a front five across the pitch as the No 10 drifts between the lines.
—Mark Carey, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025
Standing plants support wildlife, prevent snow drifts, and reduce urban flooding.
—Benjamin Vogt, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Oct. 2025
Tejera’s camera drifts between the political and the dreamlike.
—Emiliano De Pablos, Variety, 20 Oct. 2025
Hiking through the deep snow drifts above 26,000 feet is torturous and time consuming.
—Frederick Dreier, Outside, 8 Oct. 2025
But as the battle to save Ransom wages on, a mysterious cowboy drifts into town, dredging up secrets from the past.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 22 Sep. 2025
Zero computer intervention is fun, without a doubt, but also a little nerve-racking when small drifts of gravel dot the road and undulations in the asphalt can cause momentary losses in traction.
—Michael Teo Van Runkle, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
No Model Ts, no Chevrolet Ds, no Overland Model 90Bs, no automobiles in the thick drifts of snow on the streets.
—Beth Kephart
september 10, Literary Hub, 10 Sep. 2025
Grape hyacinth readily naturalizes in lawns and under trees, producing drifts of color in mid spring.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 24 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for drifts
Verb
-
Walk through the front door and the layout flows uninterrupted into multiple living areas highlighted by warm cherry wood accents, fine architectural details and an abundance of natural light.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
8 Nov. 2025
-
Each actress nails the comedic timing – and the accented English that flows with the cadence of their mother tongues.—
Elizabeth B. Kim,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
National runner-up Houston also hovers near the top of the odds as well.—
Scott Phillips,
New York Times,
3 Nov. 2025
-
The population here hovers around 250, and there’s just one grocery store—but intrepid guests will find themselves in stunning, rugged landscapes with few people around.—
Mae Hamilton,
Travel + Leisure,
1 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Anders wanders Oslo like a spectre.—
Margaret Talbot,
New Yorker,
3 Nov. 2025
-
Now free, Alma’s emaciated, adult form wanders the world, unending rage bent on revenge.—
Will Borger,
Rolling Stone,
31 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Boxes of white rice, cans of vegetables, chocolate chips and pasta rested at the top of one of the mounds of food.—
Laura Bauer,
Kansas City Star,
29 Oct. 2025
-
Japanese anemones produce dense mounds of deeply toothed foliage that remain nearly evergreen in mild climates.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
27 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Fully understanding how weather, flows, tides, and a plethora of other factors will help or hurt a bite are probably beyond your novice’s experience level.—
The Editors,
Outdoor Life,
30 Oct. 2025
-
Rising sea levels that have resulted from global warming and the melting of ice caps have likely exacerbated the natural sea erosion that occurs daily from the impacts of wind, waves and tides.—
Julia Jacobo,
ABC News,
29 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The only recourse those unregulated bookmakers had when their Spidey-senses tingled was to simply stop taking bets on the suspicious game.—
David Hill,
Rolling Stone,
31 Oct. 2025
-
Surely there would be plenty to feed my other senses.—
Ryan Knighton,
AFAR Media,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Each gloss glides on silky smooth, giving lips sheer-to-medium coverage with a buttery-soft feel.—
Nora Colomer
may earn a commission if you buy through our referral links. This content was created by a team that works independently from the Fox newsroom.,
FOXNews.com,
22 Oct. 2025
-
Mars glides into Sagittarius, pushing us to chase our independence and embrace adventure.—
Lisa Stardust,
Refinery29,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The soft, breathable cotton blend fabric floats away from the body and can be worn both over a shirt and under a jacket.—
Sophie Dodd,
Travel + Leisure,
26 Oct. 2025
-
Whereas therapy looks backward to heal, and self-help often floats in abstraction, Space of mind looks forward, quantifying how identity, beliefs, and emotions evolve over time.—
Lyssanoel Frater,
USA Today,
21 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Drifts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drifts. Accessed 10 Nov. 2025.
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