1
as in pierced
to make a hole or series of holes in
the nerve-jangling sound when a dentist drills a tooth
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2
as in popped
to strike with a missile from a gun
drilled the target from 100 yards away
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Recent Examples of drilled
Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 15 Sep. 2025
Aubrey — one of the very best in the league — had drilled a 64-yarder as regulation expired to force overtime.
—Zak Keefer, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2025
Brandon Aubrey's 64-yard field goal as time expired in regulation tied the game for the Cowboys, and then Aubrey drilled a 46-yarder as time expired in overtime for the win.
—Chris Bumbaca, USA Today, 15 Sep. 2025
The wells are drilled much longer and more are fracked at once—called simul-frac—so fewer rigs, frac fleets, and people are required.
—Jordan Blum, Fortune, 14 Sep. 2025
The rover drilled a sample of it, which researchers called Sapphire Canyon, for an eventual return to Earth.
—David W. Brown, New Yorker, 13 Sep. 2025
Centennial expanded its margin to 10 when senior Justin Driver drilled a 50-yard field goal.
—Frank Rajkowski, Twin Cities, 13 Sep. 2025
My husband drilled holes in the lids to fit the net pots.
—The San Diego Union Tribune, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Sep. 2025
The patient’s tooth is pulled and then flattened, and a small hole is then drilled in the center.
—Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 13 Sep. 2025
Verb
Shrader moved 15 yards closer, and from 45 yards out drilled the kick through the uprights as Lucas Oil Stadium erupted in celebration of an improbable 29-28 win.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 15 Sep. 2025
Aubrey — one of the very best in the league — had drilled a 64-yarder as regulation expired to force overtime.
—Zak Keefer, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2025
Brandon Aubrey's 64-yard field goal as time expired in regulation tied the game for the Cowboys, and then Aubrey drilled a 46-yarder as time expired in overtime for the win.
—Chris Bumbaca, USA Today, 15 Sep. 2025
The wells are drilled much longer and more are fracked at once—called simul-frac—so fewer rigs, frac fleets, and people are required.
—Jordan Blum, Fortune, 14 Sep. 2025
The rover drilled a sample of it, which researchers called Sapphire Canyon, for an eventual return to Earth.
—David W. Brown, New Yorker, 13 Sep. 2025
Centennial expanded its margin to 10 when senior Justin Driver drilled a 50-yard field goal.
—Frank Rajkowski, Twin Cities, 13 Sep. 2025
My husband drilled holes in the lids to fit the net pots.
—The San Diego Union Tribune, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Sep. 2025
The patient’s tooth is pulled and then flattened, and a small hole is then drilled in the center.
—Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 13 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Drilled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drilled. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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