drill 1 of 3

Definition of drillnext
1
as in routine
an established and often automatic or monotonous series of actions followed when engaging in some activity shuttling the kids between extracurricular activities is all part of the suburban drill

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in exercise
something done over and over in order to develop skill doing vocabulary drills all afternoon in preparation for the test

Synonyms & Similar Words

drill

2 of 3

verb (1)

drill

3 of 3

verb (2)

as in to plant
to put or set into the ground to grow he drills soybeans in the same rows with corn

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of drill
Noun
Over time, Bosch pivoted to vehicular systems, such as ignition coils, drills and other tools. Bestreviews, Mercury News, 28 May 2026 Slater was injured during an innocent-looking drill during training camp and sat out all season. Elliott Teaford, Oc Register, 28 May 2026
Verb
You get drilled in that in boot camp. David Frum, The Atlantic, 27 May 2026 Minnesota has a desire to get Edwards off the ball more next season to create more of the easy catch-and-shoot looks the superstar routinely drills. Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 26 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for drill
Recent Examples of Synonyms for drill
Noun
  • Plus, check out the rest of her hair primping routine and some more on-sale options to shop during the retailer's Big Spring Sale below.
    Tamim Alnuweiri, InStyle, 29 May 2026
  • In this case, the leaves will usually return to normal and the plant will recover once a good watering routine is established.
    Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 29 May 2026
Noun
  • But another reason is that its potential benefits extend beyond muscle building alone, as creatine also appears to support exercise performance, recovery, healthy aging and aspects of how your brain functions.
    Daryl Austin, USA Today, 26 May 2026
  • Executing this vision was an exercise in creative engineering, molding natural and organic shapes out of unforgiving materials.
    Bill Springer, Forbes.com, 26 May 2026
Verb
  • Tillis punctuated every strikeout with an ear-piercing scream and fist pump.
    Don Norcross, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 May 2026
  • According to the notice, if the toy has been ruptured or pierced, or if sand has escaped the toy, Orb Factory has directed consumers to put on a mask and gloves and use damp cloths to pick up any sand that has leaked out.
    Amaris Encinas, USA Today, 28 May 2026
Verb
  • The Avs struggled mightily to create chances for about 20 minutes before Smith directed a Dylan Coghlan shot past Blackwood.
    Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 27 May 2026
  • Valicenti scored the lone goal for the Bishops in the third quarter, with an overhand shot after a feed from Maggie Shea behind the net.
    Zach McMahon, Boston Herald, 27 May 2026
Verb
  • The city should not give away its most valuable land opportunity to the first institution willing to plant a flag.
    Christos Korgan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 May 2026
  • After the Soviet flag is planted on the lunar surface for a second time, there's talk of Soviet missions to Venus and building bases on the Moon.
    Richard Edwards, Space.com, 29 May 2026
Noun
  • Navel-gazing cinema about the creative process isn’t usually my bag, but Almodóvar doesn’t take his own misery that seriously, even inserting a manic pixie dream hunk, a male stripper-slash-firefighter played by Patrick Criado, for a little bump and grind.
    Joshua Rothkopf, Los Angeles Times, 22 May 2026
  • This wins got harder to come by, but the grind and mentality never changed.
    Greg Engle, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026
Noun
  • Nakase also thought Jocytė’s first practice went well Sunday.
    Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 26 May 2026
  • Burial practices accelerated spread.
    Steve Brozak, Forbes.com, 25 May 2026
Verb
  • Ross Garcia described the incident in court as an unprovoked attack in which Butler punched Sheron in the jaw, knocked him to the ground and repeatedly struck him in the head, NBC7 reported.
    Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 27 May 2026
  • Kevin McGonigle punched a ground ball inside the first-base line, for a two-run triple, tying the score.
    Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 27 May 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Drill.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drill. Accessed 2 Jun. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on drill

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster