drills 1 of 3

plural of drill
1
2
as in exercises
something done over and over in order to develop skill doing vocabulary drills all afternoon in preparation for the test

Synonyms & Similar Words

drills

2 of 3

verb (1)

present tense third-person singular of drill

drills

3 of 3

verb (2)

present tense third-person singular of drill
as in plants
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 drills
Noun
Not organized practice, not drills, just playing with their friends. Nicole Williams, AJC.com, 22 June 2026 The series of exercises could also include impromptu ones in the future, including real-time responses to Chinese military drills. ABC News, 22 June 2026 Taipei’s drills will simulate a scenario where China abruptly escalates one of its military exercises into an actual attack. Lauren Morganbesser, semafor.com, 21 June 2026 Shooting drills, Washington called them. Luca Evans, Denver Post, 21 June 2026 And Stirtz raised some eyebrows at the NBA Combine with efficient shooting during pre-draft drills. Pj Green, Kansas City Star, 21 June 2026 Some of the structure was mildly damaged by the clandestine dig and the use of pickaxes and drills, the ministry said. Barbie Latza Nadeau, CNN Money, 19 June 2026 Richter called out as players worked through drills. Wakisha Bailey, CBS News, 19 June 2026 On Tuesday and Wednesday, the team participated in a 90-minute practice on the outdoor grass field, taking part in individual drills, position drills and full 11-on-11 work along with 7-on-7 team work. Nick Harris june 19, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 June 2026
Verb
He is hyperfocused on details and drills home teaching points relentlessly. Michael Silver, New York Times, 16 June 2026 The two countries conducted joint nuclear forces drills earlier this month. Yuliya Talmazan, NBC news, 30 May 2026 Minnesota has a desire to get Edwards off the ball more next season to create more of the easy catch-and-shoot looks the superstar routinely drills. Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 26 May 2026 Remer drills his students on roots, language patterns and the exceptions to those patterns. Ben Nuckols, Fortune, 23 May 2026 By competition, Tolbert is referring to all the on-field, and off-field drills the Dolphins have been doing this offseason, which get so competitive players routinely request to see the film because a daily winner is declared, and the leader is tracked. Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 12 May 2026 If the samples test positive, then the company drills to validate the discovery, secures rights to the site, and sells the rights off to a mining company. New Atlas, 8 May 2026 The nonprofit drills wells to provide clean water. Michael Abeyta, CBS News, 6 May 2026 For kids, there will be a mobile video game truck, skills and drills stations, inflatables, balloon and caricature artist and a face painter. Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for drills
Noun
  • Jupiter enters your 6th House of Work and Health, encouraging kinder routines that improve well-being and lighten daily tasks.
    Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 30 June 2026
  • Hong Kong/Hangzhou/Beijing — When humanoid robots dominated the stage of last year’s Spring Festival Gala with sleek dance routines, Ai Lin saw more than a spectacle.
    John Liu, CNN Money, 30 June 2026
Noun
  • The Associated Press reported that the remains of two Army soldiers who went missing while off duty from military exercises in Morocco were recovered in May.
    Alene Tchekmedyian, Los Angeles Times, 28 June 2026
  • Laurie Thames Pace, who shared the protest poster online Thursday, has been director of group exercises for the YMCA of Greater Charlotte since 2017, her bio shows on Facebook.
    Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 27 June 2026
Verb
  • One area where the EM11 NL punches above its weight is connectivity.
    Sascha Brodsky, PC Magazine, 21 June 2026
  • In the 2015 track, Sonya’s boyfriend finds them by the pool and starts cussing them out, pushing Coley to the ground, who, in turn, punches him.
    Arushi Jacob, Variety, 19 June 2026
Verb
  • Jalen Brunson shoots between Julian Champagnie and Victor Wembanyama in Game Two of the NBA Finals.
    Mark Prussin, CBS News, 18 June 2026
  • As David and Agent Greer leave with Matthew, Hayden shoots his mother and flees with Rachel.
    Isadora Wandermurem, Time, 18 June 2026
Verb
  • Spray plants with neem oil, spinosad, or insecticidal soap, though these products must contact the beetles to work.
    Arricca Elin SanSone, Southern Living, 23 June 2026
  • Molloy rages to his film crew, and Lestat’s duplicity plants a wedge between the vamps.
    Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 23 June 2026
Noun
  • Tableside dishes are a highlight, including a seasonal classic Greek salad and mouthwatering whole branzino baked in a coffee-grinds and sea-salt crust, then expertly deboned and served to perfection.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 June 2026
  • In a measuring cup or small bowl, stir together the yogurt, mayonnaise, chives, dill and garlic powder; season with 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and a few grinds of pepper.
    Emily Weinstein, Twin Cities, 4 June 2026
Noun
  • While most meditation practices ask you to stay mentally engaged, NSDR asks you to follow along, let go, and remain passive throughout the exercise.
    Mira Miller, Verywell Health, 28 June 2026
  • As children spend more time at home during summer break, experts want parents to be mindful of proper gun storage and safety practices to keep their families safe.
    Lina Ruiz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 June 2026
Verb
  • Caulk holes around plumbing and sewer lines where roaches are likely to enter.
    Arricca Elin SanSone, Southern Living, 4 June 2026
  • Space the planting holes 18 to 24 inches apart and space rows 3 to 6 feet apart.
    Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Drills.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drills. Accessed 1 Jul. 2026.

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