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
1
as in to pierce
to make a hole or series of holes in
the nerve-jangling sound when a dentist drills a tooth
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to shoot
to strike with a missile from a gun
drilled the target from 100 yards away
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of drill
Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 29 Jan. 2026
One hums with high-speed drills and anxiety; the other echoes with joyful barks and tail wags.
—Henry I. Miller, STAT, 28 Jan. 2026
The Atlantic, 29 Jan. 2026
In Illinois, Ellis drilled in on a particularly controversial confrontation between Border Patrol agents and civilians in Chicago’s Little Village on October 23, during which Bovino and his agents unleashed tear gas and flashbangs on an angry crowd.
—Elizabeth Wolfe, CNN Money, 29 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for drill
Noun
Hunter, long-armed and violent at 6-foot-3, 320 pounds, has been a standout in both 1-on-1 drills and 11-on-11s, where he’s been seen splitting double-teams to make run stops at the line of scrimmage.
—Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 29 Jan. 2026
One hums with high-speed drills and anxiety; the other echoes with joyful barks and tail wags.
—Henry I. Miller, STAT, 28 Jan. 2026
Verb
American companies arrived to drill the wells and build the fields.
—The Atlantic, 29 Jan. 2026
In Illinois, Ellis drilled in on a particularly controversial confrontation between Border Patrol agents and civilians in Chicago’s Little Village on October 23, during which Bovino and his agents unleashed tear gas and flashbangs on an angry crowd.
—Elizabeth Wolfe, CNN Money, 29 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for drill
Recent Examples of Synonyms for drill
Noun
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Mon Lumière offers a smart alternative to complicated routines and costly in-office treatments, delivering an easy system that supports both preventive and corrective care with comfort and consistency.—
William Jones
January 29,
Miami Herald,
29 Jan. 2026
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His brand, Wizard Wellness, launches Thursday on its website with sinus rinses, nasal sprays, nasal sticks and oral strips, plus bundles around routines with each.—
James Manso,
Footwear News,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The exercise focused on decision-making, flight control, and airspace discipline, all under realistic conditions spanning miles of airspace and thousands of feet of altitude.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
27 Jan. 2026
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Greca prefers working out her core on the days in her routine that focus on upper-body exercises.—
Helen Carefoot,
Flow Space,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
There’s no substitute to the grind.—
Liz Hoffman,
semafor.com,
27 Jan. 2026
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Despite the grind of an NFL career, Jarrett is savoring life as a dad.—
Samantha Stutsman,
PEOPLE,
25 Jan. 2026
Noun
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That judicial warrant is a court order, said Ian Macdonald, an attorney and partner in the labor and employment practice of Greenberg Traurig LLP.—
Jeanne Sahadi,
CNN Money,
27 Jan. 2026
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The strike is based on an unfair labor practice charge filed by the National Union of Healthcare Workers against the two Kindred hospitals.—
Pat Maio,
Oc Register,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Law enforcement experts who reviewed the videos for CNN said the officers’ use of deadly force likely stemmed from lack of training or a failure by the agents to follow it during the heated encounter.—
Yahya Abou-Ghazala,
CNN Money,
30 Jan. 2026
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After holding families at makeshift sites, including on the campus of a Border Patrol training facility in New Mexico, the administration opened the South Texas Family Residential Center.—
Rick Jervis,
USA Today,
29 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Drill.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drill. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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