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
Michelle F. Solomon, Miami Herald, 12 May 2026
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
From June onward, the cloud drifts on again, this time toward the Amazon region.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026
Set clear expectations and timelines so nothing drifts.
—Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 21 Apr. 2026
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
Wyoming is also windier than Colorado, pushing snow into drifts that must be re-plowed if gusts persist.
—ABC News, 6 May 2026
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
Verb
The road drifts, then gets back on track.
—Michelle F. Solomon, Miami Herald, 12 May 2026
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
From June onward, the cloud drifts on again, this time toward the Amazon region.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026
Set clear expectations and timelines so nothing drifts.
—Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 21 Apr. 2026
Noun
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
Wyoming is also windier than Colorado, pushing snow into drifts that must be re-plowed if gusts persist.
—ABC News, 6 May 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for drifts
Verb
-
Included in this luxury is the Eclipse pool, which seamlessly flows from indoor to outdoor, and totally riddled with kids.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
16 May 2026
-
Rather than asking how individuals can adapt, this approach examines how leadership dynamics, communication flows, and operational pressure interact to influence thinking, perception, and decision-making.—
Nia Bowers,
USA Today,
15 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
-
The New Zealand singer-songwriter wanders around inside her psychedelic folk arrangements, singing in private riddles and changing the tone of her voice from one song (or even one verse) to the next, seemingly oblivious or indifferent to your presence.—
Jayson Greene,
Pitchfork,
8 May 2026
-
For animal lovers, there’s a house cat that wanders the property, and morning walks may include up-close encounters with Highland cows or a free-roaming peacock.—
Emily Longeretta,
Variety,
7 May 2026
Noun
-
In that case, use a drench to kill fire ant mounds.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
7 May 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
-
Senators have held on in elections amid their states' shifting political tides in the past, but usually their luck eventually runs out — as evidenced by the ouster of former Democratic Sens.—
Garrett Downs,
CNBC,
15 May 2026
-
The calm waters and dramatic high and low tides are perfect for beach lovers of all ages.—
Jacqueline Dole,
Travel + Leisure,
14 May 2026
Noun
-
Your senses become incredibly sharp after alternating heat and cold.—
Brad Japhe,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2026
-
But these same buildings have another set of qualities, which are not visible to the senses.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
Footage shows the lovebird riding high inside a clear cabin attached to a drone, as the contraption glides through the air before gently descending toward the ground.—
Christopher Edwards,
PEOPLE,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Brazzell is a 6-foot-4, 198-pound target who glides by his opposing corners with ease.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
As dust floats through the air, static electricity can attract particles of dirt, pollen, pet dander, and dust that accumulate on the fan blades over time.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
14 May 2026
-
Trump floats a pause on the federal gas tax.—
Adam Beam,
AJC.com,
14 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Drifts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drifts. Accessed 17 May. 2026.
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