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
Literary Hub, 9 June 2026
On Sunday mornings, families gather by the docks along Lake Erie, while church music drifts across the water.
—Kiara Moore, The Washington Examiner, 7 June 2026
The real draw is the 12,000-square-foot patio, one of the city's best, which fills up on nights when the playlist drifts from Charley Crockett to Lizzo to the kind of New York hip hop that makes Boyd secretly dance at the register.
—Carrie Honaker, Bon Appetit Magazine, 5 June 2026
His desire to get forward allows for quick link-up with attacking midfielders, particularly dangerous when the speedy Nestory Irankunda drifts over to his side.
—Thom Harris, New York Times, 5 June 2026
The eclipse — including both the slight penumbral (when the moon drifts into Earth's fuzzy outer shadow) and partial phases — will last 5 hours, 38 minutes.
—Jamie Carter, Space.com, 4 June 2026
That pocket of warm water then drifts eastward, weakening tropical trade winds, which has a domino-like effect on weather patterns throughout the world.
—Joe Wilkins, Futurism, 3 June 2026
Smoke from the front burners has farther to travel, and a lot of it drifts sideways into the kitchen before the hood can catch it.
—Angela Haupt, Time, 3 June 2026
The smell of simmering garlic and tomatoes drifts through the casual dining rooms where families gather around crowded tables.
—Eva Remijan-Toba, Chicago Tribune, 2 June 2026
Usa Today, USA Today, 1 June 2026
Curved roof eaves meanwhile prevent eddies — swirling pockets of air — from producing more localized snow drifts.
—Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 25 May 2026
Hydrangeas can be the star of any garden with their large size and dramatic drifts of colorful, long-blooming flowers.
—Alexandra Jones, The Spruce, 21 May 2026
Smoke drifts from the kitchen into the living room, pollen follows people through the front door and pet dander settles into bedrooms and carpets.
—Ryan Brennan
may 18, Charlotte Observer, 18 May 2026
The French Riviera, for one, is at its most compelling from the water, where the scent of citrus drifts from shore and the low buzz of beach clubs carries on the air.
—Rachel Ingram, Robb Report, 16 May 2026
Creating drifts of plants will create a flight path hummingbirds can’t miss.
—Erica Browne Grivas, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 May 2026
Another quiet but essential presence is Orin Jacobs, whose live clarinet playing drifts in and out of the production.
—Michelle F. Solomon, Miami Herald, 12 May 2026
Get it wrong and everything from sleep onset to cortisol timing drifts.
—Allison Palmer, Kansas City Star, 7 May 2026
Verb
Cricket drifts far from the contemporary arts scene.
—Literary Hub, 9 June 2026
On Sunday mornings, families gather by the docks along Lake Erie, while church music drifts across the water.
—Kiara Moore, The Washington Examiner, 7 June 2026
The real draw is the 12,000-square-foot patio, one of the city's best, which fills up on nights when the playlist drifts from Charley Crockett to Lizzo to the kind of New York hip hop that makes Boyd secretly dance at the register.
—Carrie Honaker, Bon Appetit Magazine, 5 June 2026
His desire to get forward allows for quick link-up with attacking midfielders, particularly dangerous when the speedy Nestory Irankunda drifts over to his side.
—Thom Harris, New York Times, 5 June 2026
The eclipse — including both the slight penumbral (when the moon drifts into Earth's fuzzy outer shadow) and partial phases — will last 5 hours, 38 minutes.
—Jamie Carter, Space.com, 4 June 2026
That pocket of warm water then drifts eastward, weakening tropical trade winds, which has a domino-like effect on weather patterns throughout the world.
—Joe Wilkins, Futurism, 3 June 2026
Smoke from the front burners has farther to travel, and a lot of it drifts sideways into the kitchen before the hood can catch it.
—Angela Haupt, Time, 3 June 2026
The smell of simmering garlic and tomatoes drifts through the casual dining rooms where families gather around crowded tables.
—Eva Remijan-Toba, Chicago Tribune, 2 June 2026
Noun
As Mercury drifts into Cancer, start to outline your agenda for the coming year.
—Usa Today, USA Today, 1 June 2026
Curved roof eaves meanwhile prevent eddies — swirling pockets of air — from producing more localized snow drifts.
—Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 25 May 2026
Hydrangeas can be the star of any garden with their large size and dramatic drifts of colorful, long-blooming flowers.
—Alexandra Jones, The Spruce, 21 May 2026
Smoke drifts from the kitchen into the living room, pollen follows people through the front door and pet dander settles into bedrooms and carpets.
—Ryan Brennan
may 18, Charlotte Observer, 18 May 2026
The French Riviera, for one, is at its most compelling from the water, where the scent of citrus drifts from shore and the low buzz of beach clubs carries on the air.
—Rachel Ingram, Robb Report, 16 May 2026
Creating drifts of plants will create a flight path hummingbirds can’t miss.
—Erica Browne Grivas, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 May 2026
Another quiet but essential presence is Orin Jacobs, whose live clarinet playing drifts in and out of the production.
—Michelle F. Solomon, Miami Herald, 12 May 2026
Get it wrong and everything from sleep onset to cortisol timing drifts.
—Allison Palmer, Kansas City Star, 7 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for drifts
Verb
-
Below that, the main deck is equipped with a spacious salon that flows onto the aft deck, the swim platform, and a garage with space for a 16-foot tender and a Jet Ski.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
12 June 2026
-
Dark flows rising Even without a peace deal, there have been growing signs that significant volumes of oil are flowing through the strait in tankers with their signals switched off — including with assistance from the US military.—
Bloomberg,
Oc Register,
12 June 2026
Verb
-
Their water content hovers around 16%, and butter is made up of 1-4% vitamins, minerals, lactose and protein.—
Rosemary Trout,
The Conversation,
10 June 2026
-
Mark Bezos—Jeff’s brother—hovers around the bar.—
Sam Stone,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
Klepper wanders the streets talks to people about the state of America and the current political administration.—
Ethan Shanfeld,
Variety,
4 June 2026
-
The Littlest Hobo will be a live-action drama reimagining of the classic Canadian TV series, which first aired in Canada in 1979 about an ownerless German Shepherd dog who wanders from town to town helping people.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
4 June 2026
Noun
-
Following the rescue, photos shared by the agency show mounds of garbage lining the floor where the chute was located.—
Sam Gillette,
PEOPLE,
8 June 2026
-
Nearby, Gloria Amposah was barely visible among mounds of women’s tops and dresses from the Netherlands.—
Jasmin Malik Chua,
Footwear News,
8 June 2026
Noun
-
The site is on a low-lying barrier island in a mandatory hurricane evacuation zone and faces ongoing risks from flooding, sea-level rise, king tides and storm surge.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
6 June 2026
-
The tides and waves had washed the blood from the sand.—
Adam Van Brimmer,
AJC.com,
4 June 2026
Noun
-
Consider a small refresh by choosing soft clothes that soothe your senses, which helps your energy stay even through conversations and errands.—
Tarot.com,
The Orlando Sentinel,
6 June 2026
-
Embr Wave is a personal thermostat for your wrist that activates your thermal senses at the touch of a button through the use of precise cooling and warming sensations.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
6 June 2026
Verb
-
The verse is tethered to the earth; the chorus glides like a 747.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
4 June 2026
-
In the warmer months, don’t skip a ride on The Morgan, Sagamore’s cruising vessel that glides around Lake George.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
Reader Heather Fargo wrote in with a number of suggestions for dining outdoors in North and South Natomas, such as Bella Bru, CharQterie, Helic Bistro, Mezcal Grill, El Bramido and The Virgin Sturgeon, which floats on the Sacramento River.—
Sean Timberlake,
Sacbee.com,
10 June 2026
-
From yoga sessions and floats to pop-up events and performances, Pride is still all around Boise and the Treasure Valley this June.—
Hali Smith,
Idaho Statesman,
10 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Drifts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drifts. Accessed 13 Jun. 2026.
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