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
However, the work, which has included multiple changes to Volpe’s swing and daily defensive drills, have not yielded consistent results. Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 10 July 2025 For instance, in the construction industry, regulations around silica dust are impacting everything from jobsite protocol to new product accessories for drills and saws. Sherre Demao, Forbes.com, 9 July 2025
Verb
Carbon discs are drilled with holes for thermal regulation, while cast-iron discs, which take a little longer to cool, are vaned for air flow. Kristin Shaw, ArsTechnica, 10 July 2025 Her pivot from pop culture to policy raises questions—about electability, credibility, and whether Georgia voters are ready for a candidate with both a license to drill and a Bravo tagline. Shelby Stewart, Essence, 9 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for drill
Recent Examples of Synonyms for drill
Noun
  • After a smooth recovery, Aubergine is back to his daily routine and being closely monitored.
    Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 19 July 2025
  • All over the internet, people are recreating the couple’s snuggle-and-duck routine and even offering advice for how to react if nabbed in the same awkward position.
    Leslie Katz, Forbes.com, 19 July 2025
Noun
  • And so billionaire philanthropy is an exercise of power and deserves skepticism rather than gratitude.
    Alex Morris, Rolling Stone, 14 July 2025
  • In addition to Spanx clothing, celebrities like Garner and Kylie Jenner are fans of its bras, and this one is under $50 and wearable for exercise.
    Alyssa Grabinski, People.com, 13 July 2025
Noun
  • Player Replacements for the Event The grind of the nearly every week nature of the sport right now is starting to take its toll, as a slew of players were absent from this event, some with lingering injuries and others with pre-arranged conflicts.
    Todd Boss, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
  • The grind towards its Aug. 28 opener has begun for the Bears, who start the season against Brophy Prep on a Thursday night at Phoenix Central. Liberty, which has won the past two Open titles, begins its season on the same night at home against Mesa Mountain View, the 6A runnerup last season.
    Richard Obert, AZCentral.com, 12 July 2025
Noun
  • Good conservation practice demands a harmonious union of science and artistry.
    Sonya Rehman, Forbes.com, 12 July 2025
  • Although the law doesn’t mandate removal, legal experts say the practice has increasingly undermined state-level cases.
    Raphael Romero Ruiz, AZCentral.com, 12 July 2025
Noun
  • The Cleveland Browns are just five days away from the start of training camp, and ultimately closer to an answer about who their starting quarterback will be in 2025.
    Michael Gallagher, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 July 2025
  • All activity at the training facility was immediately suspended.
    Kimberlee Speakman, People.com, 19 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Drill.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drill. Accessed 23 Jul. 2025.

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