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
China and Russia opened joint naval drills in the Sea of Japan, the latest sign of their strengthening alliance on both tactical and strategic levels. Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 4 Aug. 2025 The 40-year-old former UNLV quarterback subbed himself into 11-on-11 drills and purposely threw an interception to inject a little fun into his team’s fourth straight day of training camp practice. James Boyd, New York Times, 28 July 2025
Verb
Shortly after, the White House reversed course and allowed U.S. oil producer Chevron to resume drilling in Venezuela after it was previously blocked by U.S. sanctions. Joshua Goodman, Sun Sentinel, 8 Aug. 2025 After sitting out of Saturday’s team drills with arm soreness, Sanders was a full participant at Monday’s practice, but Flacco took all of the first-team reps during the 11-on-11 portion, according to ESPN. Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 4 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for drill
Recent Examples of Synonyms for drill
Noun
  • While maintaining a strict cleansing and conditioning regimen is recommended, a nourishing scalp scrub seamlessly elevates your wash day routine with a deep clean.
    Tatayana Yomary, Essence, 12 Aug. 2025
  • This is one reason why people use coconut oil as part of their skin and oral care routines. 5.
    Lauren Panoff, Verywell Health, 11 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • The take-home message isn’t that exercise doesn’t matter.
    Jamie Ducharme, Health, 7 Aug. 2025
  • The right exercise for you depends on your age, health, fitness level, and preference.
    Mira Miller, Verywell Health, 7 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • This mental grind intensified during his time in the NFL’s IPP program.
    Sindiswa Mabunda, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2025
  • The mental grind of having to go through the rehab process a second time was agonizing.
    Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 31 July 2025
Noun
  • The Horned Frogs have the next two days off before returning to practice Tuesday.
    Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Aug. 2025
  • Quick hits and thoughts as the Dolphins prepare for the third and final week of preseason, culminating in Thursday’s joint practice with the Jaguars in Miami Gardens and Saturday’s preseason finale against Jacksonville at Hard Rock Stadium (7 p.m., CBS 4).
    Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 17 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Stafford, a 17-year pro, has yet to participate in a team practice at training camp because of a back ailment, with the Sept. 7 season-opener against the visiting Houston Texans coming fast for L.A.
    Jay Paris, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2025
  • Donovan Edwards #40 of the New York Jets in action during training camp at Atlantic Health Jets Training Center on July 28, 2025 in Florham Park, New Jersey.
    Drew VonScio, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Drill.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drill. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.

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