1
as in piercing
to make a hole or series of holes in
the nerve-jangling sound when a dentist drills a tooth
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in shooting
to strike with a missile from a gun
drilled the target from 100 yards away
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in planting
to put or set into the ground to grow
he drills soybeans in the same rows with corn
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 drilling
Sam Vecenie, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2025
The decision on whether to open up the Arctic to further drilling should have been made by the Indigenous people of Alaska, Shea said.
—Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 3 Nov. 2025
The deep floor of the LUNA testbed allows for sampling and drilling up to nine feet (three meters) below the surface, enabling scientists and engineers to test technologies for resource extraction, mobility and construction.
—Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, Space.com, 27 Oct. 2025
Dart and the Giants should’ve been victorious in Denver, too, but a collapse of epic proportions ensued with Wil Lutz drilling a game-winning field goal to cement the biggest comeback win this season in the NFL.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 21 Oct. 2025
The match ended after Rhodes was disqualified for drilling McIntyre with his championship.
—Fernando Quiles Jr, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Oct. 2025
Months later, multiple TikTok videos used the track in clips that went viral on the platform, drilling it into the consciousness of American youth in an awe-inspiring and perhaps deeply concerning way that TikTok videos can.
—Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 16 Oct. 2025
To be sure, California would be within its power to prohibit drilling by condemning mineral estates through eminent domain and paying compensation to the owners.
—Chris Kieser, Oc Register, 14 Oct. 2025
This heat moves outward through layers of rock and can be captured by drilling wells to access hot water, steam, or dry rock formations.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 10 Oct. 2025
Verb
Peterson didn’t disappoint either, drilling a top-10 Louisville team for 26 points on 15 shots, including six 3s in only 25 minutes, before sitting out Kansas’ second preseason game against Fort Hays.
—Sam Vecenie, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2025
The decision on whether to open up the Arctic to further drilling should have been made by the Indigenous people of Alaska, Shea said.
—Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 3 Nov. 2025
The deep floor of the LUNA testbed allows for sampling and drilling up to nine feet (three meters) below the surface, enabling scientists and engineers to test technologies for resource extraction, mobility and construction.
—Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, Space.com, 27 Oct. 2025
Dart and the Giants should’ve been victorious in Denver, too, but a collapse of epic proportions ensued with Wil Lutz drilling a game-winning field goal to cement the biggest comeback win this season in the NFL.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 21 Oct. 2025
The match ended after Rhodes was disqualified for drilling McIntyre with his championship.
—Fernando Quiles Jr, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Oct. 2025
Months later, multiple TikTok videos used the track in clips that went viral on the platform, drilling it into the consciousness of American youth in an awe-inspiring and perhaps deeply concerning way that TikTok videos can.
—Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 16 Oct. 2025
To be sure, California would be within its power to prohibit drilling by condemning mineral estates through eminent domain and paying compensation to the owners.
—Chris Kieser, Oc Register, 14 Oct. 2025
This heat moves outward through layers of rock and can be captured by drilling wells to access hot water, steam, or dry rock formations.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 10 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Drilling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drilling. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share