drill 1 of 3

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

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

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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

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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
Mays and Moton were both missing from individual drills during the media portion of practice. Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 29 Oct. 2025 The man is a yeoman on the diamond, having spent the past couple of seasons showing up early and sweating out infield drills to refine his skills at shortstop. Mirjam Swanson, Oc Register, 29 Oct. 2025
Verb
The Jays’ leadoff hitter also reached safely against Yamamoto in the following two innings, first on an infield popup with a 100 percent catch probability that Freddie Freeman overran, then when Yamamoto drilled George Springer on the wrist. Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2025 Freshman kicker Lukasz Smolen, who comes to Charlotte from London, drilled a 21-yard field goal. Shane Connuck, Charlotte Observer, 25 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for drill
Recent Examples of Synonyms for drill
Noun
  • But, no matter how good your intentions are, life always manages to throw a wrench into your cleaning routine.
    Kelsey Mulvey, Southern Living, 31 Oct. 2025
  • Each was judged on softness, absorbency, size, and dry time—and yes, every single one has elevated our bath time routines for the better.
    Jasmine Desiree, Architectural Digest, 31 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The major muscles worked in this exercise are the quads, glutes, hamstrings, hip flexors (muscles at the front of the hip), and calves.
    Jakob Roze, Health, 31 Oct. 2025
  • Choosing the right backpack for all your specific travel needs is not a one size fits all exercise.
    Michelle Baricevic, Travel + Leisure, 30 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Since her husband's death, Kirk hasn't disappeared from public life, mixing grief with the grind of front-facing work.
    Jay Stahl, USA Today, 27 Oct. 2025
  • But clarity about time’s value doesn’t require the perspective of final days — only the courage to step outside the grind long enough to see what matters.
    Arianna Huffington, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Denver has a pair of young prospects on their practice squad in Patrick Murtagh and Caleb Lohner, a seventh-round pick in April’s NFL Draft, but Denver has been seeking more experience at the position.
    Nick Kosmider, New York Times, 30 Oct. 2025
  • Plus, your purchase also supports the brand’s sustainable cotton sourcing initiative that promotes betting farming practices and protects the environment for extra peace of mind.
    Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • National Guard troops have been staging at Portland training bases for weeks while the legal case plays out, having been activated to protect federal officials and an Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility that has been the focal point of daily protests since June.
    Danya Gainor, CNN Money, 3 Nov. 2025
  • LaRoche is the Founder, CEO, and Lead Coach of Integrity Hoops, which is a basketball training and consulting company.
    Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 2 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Drill.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drill. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.

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