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
David Goldman, CNN Money, 4 May 2026
Then Toluca goalkeeper Luis García watched as Tillman drilled a running header just wide.
—Josh Gross, Daily News, 30 Apr. 2026
Dani Weatherholt drilled a shot past Casey Murphy in the 53rd minute and then Ashley Sanchez evened up the game in the 76th minute.
—Boston Herald Staff, Boston Herald, 30 Apr. 2026
Even when the Knicks opened the second half a little unevenly, Anunoby drilled two 3s and kept Atlanta at arm’s length.
—C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 29 Apr. 2026
That kind of tight ensemble work doesn’t just flow from gathering uniquely talented singers; it gets drilled in over time.
—Justin Davidson, Vulture, 29 Apr. 2026
One out later, Carruthers drilled a two-out RBI single to center to stretch the lead to 5-1.
—Gary Curreri, Sun Sentinel, 25 Apr. 2026
Then LeBron James jumped a pass from Reed Sheppard and drilled the tying 3.
—Dan Woike, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2026
Redshirt freshman kicker Daniel Jackson drilled a 51-yard field goal in the first half, which was encouraging after Minnesota was 2 for 7 from 40-plus yards last season.
—Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 25 Apr. 2026
Verb
Wells drilled in 2026 may not start to produce until 2036.
—David Goldman, CNN Money, 4 May 2026
Then Toluca goalkeeper Luis García watched as Tillman drilled a running header just wide.
—Josh Gross, Daily News, 30 Apr. 2026
Dani Weatherholt drilled a shot past Casey Murphy in the 53rd minute and then Ashley Sanchez evened up the game in the 76th minute.
—Boston Herald Staff, Boston Herald, 30 Apr. 2026
Even when the Knicks opened the second half a little unevenly, Anunoby drilled two 3s and kept Atlanta at arm’s length.
—C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 29 Apr. 2026
That kind of tight ensemble work doesn’t just flow from gathering uniquely talented singers; it gets drilled in over time.
—Justin Davidson, Vulture, 29 Apr. 2026
One out later, Carruthers drilled a two-out RBI single to center to stretch the lead to 5-1.
—Gary Curreri, Sun Sentinel, 25 Apr. 2026
Then LeBron James jumped a pass from Reed Sheppard and drilled the tying 3.
—Dan Woike, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2026
Redshirt freshman kicker Daniel Jackson drilled a 51-yard field goal in the first half, which was encouraging after Minnesota was 2 for 7 from 40-plus yards last season.
—Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 25 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Drilled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drilled. Accessed 6 May. 2026.
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