1
as in routines
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
1
as in punches
to make a hole or series of holes in
the nerve-jangling sound when a dentist drills a tooth
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in shoots
to strike with a missile from a gun
drilled the target from 100 yards away
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of drills
Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2026
Then there were climate catastrophes like Hurricane Katrina, the normalization of active shooter drills at their schools and a worldwide pandemic.
—Lisa Respers France, CNN Money, 7 June 2026
Kempfer believes the recent drills may be a joint operation with other branches of the military.
—Joy Benedict, CBS News, 6 June 2026
However, an Army spokesperson told the Washington Examiner that any preparations for execution were part of routine drills conducted for the past 20 years.
—Rena Rowe, The Washington Examiner, 6 June 2026
Discussion will include the cellphone ban bill, fentanyl abuse, active shooter drills and student walkout policies.
—Emily Harter, Kansas City Star, 4 June 2026
So García will keep showing up early, working alongside hitting coach Kevin Long and assistant Edwar Gonzalez — doing flips, taking batting practice, running through drills.
—Charlotte Varnes, New York Times, 4 June 2026
Earlier this month, the countries held joint drills of nuclear forces involving Russian weapons deployed in Belarus.
—ABC News, 31 May 2026
There were shooting drills, too, and various sized scrimmages.
—Tony East, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026
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
Embiid, a 7-foot-0, 280-pound, 32-year-old native of Cameroon who won league MVP honors in 2023, participated in some of the Sixers’ drills just 15 days removed from emergency appendectomy surgery.
—Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 24 Apr. 2026
Noun
Pochettino speaks to players after drills at Orange County Great Park on Monday.
—Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2026
Then there were climate catastrophes like Hurricane Katrina, the normalization of active shooter drills at their schools and a worldwide pandemic.
—Lisa Respers France, CNN Money, 7 June 2026
Kempfer believes the recent drills may be a joint operation with other branches of the military.
—Joy Benedict, CBS News, 6 June 2026
However, an Army spokesperson told the Washington Examiner that any preparations for execution were part of routine drills conducted for the past 20 years.
—Rena Rowe, The Washington Examiner, 6 June 2026
Discussion will include the cellphone ban bill, fentanyl abuse, active shooter drills and student walkout policies.
—Emily Harter, Kansas City Star, 4 June 2026
So García will keep showing up early, working alongside hitting coach Kevin Long and assistant Edwar Gonzalez — doing flips, taking batting practice, running through drills.
—Charlotte Varnes, New York Times, 4 June 2026
Earlier this month, the countries held joint drills of nuclear forces involving Russian weapons deployed in Belarus.
—ABC News, 31 May 2026
There were shooting drills, too, and various sized scrimmages.
—Tony East, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026
Verb
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
Embiid, a 7-foot-0, 280-pound, 32-year-old native of Cameroon who won league MVP honors in 2023, participated in some of the Sixers’ drills just 15 days removed from emergency appendectomy surgery.
—Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 24 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for drills
Noun
-
Once Venus enters Leo, all of that romantic momentum moves towards your daily duties and self-care routines.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
5 June 2026
-
Throughout the testing period, participants recorded how their skin looked and felt, then rated each cream across key factors, including texture, absorption, overnight hydration, and compatibility with existing routines.—
Jenny Berg,
InStyle,
4 June 2026
Noun
-
South Metro Fire Rescue's dive team, which was conducting training exercises nearby, responded within minutes.—
Jasmine Arenas,
CBS News,
7 June 2026
-
Evolving threats from drones and AI In January, thousands of officials involved in World Cup security gathered for exercises simulating crowd surges, vehicle attacks and mass shootings.—
Jake Offenhartz,
Los Angeles Times,
7 June 2026
Verb
-
During an intense scene, Simon punches a hole through a fellow actor’s face.—
Mike Ryan,
IndieWire,
3 June 2026
-
Food and drink Cosmo still punches above its weight on dining.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
The Knicks' Jalen Brunson, left, shoots the ball against the Spurs' Victor Wembanyama during the fourth quarter of Game 1 of the NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center on June 3, 2026 in San Antonio.—
CBS New York Team,
CBS News,
3 June 2026
-
Ultimately, Ali shoots and kills Alamo after his right-hand man, Bishop (Darrell Britt-Gibson), turns on him and secretly removes the bullets from Alamo’s gun.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
See what our founder plants in the shadow of her redwoods.—
Michele Laufik,
Martha Stewart,
29 May 2026
-
Space plants 36 to 48 inches apart, setting two strong transplants on a hill or mound.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
23 May 2026
Noun
-
Skaters ages 6-11 showed off their nose grinds, kickflips and wall rides to an enthusiastic early crowd.—
Tony Le Calvez,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 May 2026
-
This is perfect for a small household that just needs enough grinds for one pot of coffee at a time.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
More than a third of US skincare practices now offer exosome skincare, a cellular-level treatment that promises to reduce the appearance of wrinkles.—
Ramishah Maruf,
CNN Money,
7 June 2026
-
The summit is an in-person gathering focused on real-world wellness practices.—
Adam Harrington,
CBS News,
7 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
Cite this Entry
“Drills.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drills. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.
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