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
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
Pack ice, a type of free-floating ice that drifts on the open ocean, surrounds Antarctica.
—Mindy Weisberger, CNN Money, 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
South Florida is in for a good bit of rain this weekend as a tropical system drifts over the state.
—Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 3 Oct. 2025
Still, Nevo's mind often drifts to the moment in Gaza when Palestinian militants detonated explosives in a home, wounding him and killing two close friends in his army unit.
—Daniel Estrin, NPR, 29 Sep. 2025
The light changes but my eye drifts up to the towers of Downtown Brooklyn silhouetted by the afternoon sun.
—Justin Davidson, Curbed, 22 Sep. 2025
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
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
Pack ice, a type of free-floating ice that drifts on the open ocean, surrounds Antarctica.
—Mindy Weisberger, CNN Money, 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
South Florida is in for a good bit of rain this weekend as a tropical system drifts over the state.
—Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 3 Oct. 2025
Still, Nevo's mind often drifts to the moment in Gaza when Palestinian militants detonated explosives in a home, wounding him and killing two close friends in his army unit.
—Daniel Estrin, NPR, 29 Sep. 2025
The light changes but my eye drifts up to the towers of Downtown Brooklyn silhouetted by the afternoon sun.
—Justin Davidson, Curbed, 22 Sep. 2025
Noun
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
-
Reflect honestly about your longings as Mercury flows with Jupiter and Saturn.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
25 Oct. 2025
-
During a stay here in one of the hotel’s 208 rooms (including 12 suites), guests will be able to enjoy luxe linens, Japanese-style soaking tubs, and plenty of natural light that flows in through floor-to-ceiling windows.—
Mae Hamilton,
Travel + Leisure,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Europe’s central bank is expected to hold rates steady in October as inflation hovers around its 2% target.—
Tasmin Lockwood,
CNBC,
24 Oct. 2025
-
Though hiring has slowed, the nation's unemployment rate still hovers at a historically low level.—
Max Zahn,
ABC News,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
When Rashid wanders into the office, Vahid stops his call — there’s something about this man’s shuffle that strikes him as familiar.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
16 Oct. 2025
-
In the wake of a messy divorce, a writer wanders the world in search of meaning and passion in this loose adaptation of Elizabeth Gilbert’s popular memoir.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
10 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Some shells are soft, and others are hard with spikes or mounds.—
Kate Siber,
Outside,
21 Oct. 2025
-
Archaeologists furthermore explained that, in this region, specifically, the burial mounds tend to harken back to pre-Roman traditions, which might suggest a meeting between Celtic and Roman cultures.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
19 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
And learn to map the tides, the winds, the sea swells, as the navigators do?—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
21 Oct. 2025
-
Mangroves exist in the intertidal zones of warm rivers, estuaries and bays, growing in the sediment brought to the coast by the freshwater rivers and tides, according to the Australia Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.—
Irene Wright,
Miami Herald,
16 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
In the book, the protagonist Jonathan Harker nicks himself with a razor and senses Dracula’s rapt attention.—
Bryan Alexander,
USA Today,
20 Oct. 2025
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This brain region is known to be active when recalling memories that contain detail from various senses.—
Allison Parshall,
Scientific American,
20 Oct. 2025
Verb
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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
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Giving a little will get you a lot while Venus glides through harmonious Libra.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
13 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 27 Oct. 2025.
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