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
The focus was on the functional details like zippers on polos and shirts and new cotton drill fabrics, solid yet flexible, that evoked a workwear aesthetic. Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 23 June 2025 Conscripts have described it as monotonous, disorganized and often irrelevant to modern warfare: a combination of indoor lectures, hours of waiting around, and outdated ceremonial drills. Will Ripley, CNN Money, 21 June 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
  • Don't Buy Expensive Tween Skincare Not only will your money be wasted trying to perfect a skincare routine for tweens, but a study in Pediatrics found that elaborate skincare products can be harmful to young skin and may even spark chronic conditions like allergic dermatitis.
    Chaunie Brusie, Parents, 7 July 2025
  • The goal is that participants learn a 30-second routine but the class uses several moves similar to those used in other dance fitness classes, like Zumba, the couple said.
    Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 July 2025
Noun
  • Showcasing each is an exercise in terroir, and a flex of winemaking prowess but mark my words, all of Checkmate’s Chardonnays are beautiful and benchmark, threaded together by their draping acidity and tension.
    Kate Dingwall, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
  • Trump mobilized National Guard troops to quell the protests against the wishes of Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom—a rare and controversial exercise of presidential power that prompted Newsom to sue Trump.
    Chantelle Lee, Time, 30 June 2025
Noun
  • While other editors navigated the daily grind in a visible state of exhaustion, Wintour, with her signature bob, dark sunglasses, and famously enigmatic composure, cultivated an air of mystery and authority that few could emulate.
    Jeetendr Sehdev, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • Olsen talks about how the grind of having to earn a living, the drag of figuring out home care for young kids, has worn female writers down.
    Hilton Als, New Yorker, 30 June 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
  • Editor’s note: This is the seventh story in a 10-part series looking at the most intriguing New England Patriots players ahead of training camp.
    Chad Graff, New York Times, 7 July 2025
  • The agency targets jurisdictions where criminals exploit weak oversight or residency-for-sale programs and provides the training for free.
    Myles Miller Bloomberg News, arkansasonline.com, 7 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Drill.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drill. Accessed 16 Jul. 2025.

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