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
Peter Baugh, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
First, the Heat’s drills are designed to get players in the shape required to consistently play this up-and-down style.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 6 Oct. 2025
As Pro Day went on, the team ran through drills showcasing different skills.
—Ally Schniepp, Kansas City Star, 5 Oct. 2025
Eventually the in-studio warm-up comic, Don Barris, a jovial pro with a Taftian mustache, led a few applause drills.
—Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 3 Oct. 2025
Documents released Wednesday by the district include correspondence then-Principal Mandy Gutierrez sent to the district administration about Robb Elementary’s history conducting drills.
—Matthew J. Friedman, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2025
Beyond this step, NATO states also pressed forward with Operation Eastern Sentry training exercises, which ran concurrently with the joint Russia-Belarus Zapad-25 drills that included a number of partner countries.
—Tom O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Sep. 2025
Their primary activities are banner drops, training drills and online noise.
—Anna Kleiber, jsonline.com, 26 Sep. 2025
That included early hitting and outfield drills ahead of the team’s optional on-field batting practice.
—Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Sep. 2025
Jon Greenberg, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2025
Parsons attended Cowboys practices during training camp but has not participated in any team drills.
—Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 8 Aug. 2025
After sitting out of Saturday’s team drills with arm soreness, Sanders was a full participant at Monday’s practice, but Flacco took all of the first-team reps during the 11-on-11 portion, according to ESPN.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 4 Aug. 2025
Noun
When the team did drills, the three were in lockstep when directing players where to go.
—Peter Baugh, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
First, the Heat’s drills are designed to get players in the shape required to consistently play this up-and-down style.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 6 Oct. 2025
As Pro Day went on, the team ran through drills showcasing different skills.
—Ally Schniepp, Kansas City Star, 5 Oct. 2025
Eventually the in-studio warm-up comic, Don Barris, a jovial pro with a Taftian mustache, led a few applause drills.
—Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 3 Oct. 2025
Documents released Wednesday by the district include correspondence then-Principal Mandy Gutierrez sent to the district administration about Robb Elementary’s history conducting drills.
—Matthew J. Friedman, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2025
Beyond this step, NATO states also pressed forward with Operation Eastern Sentry training exercises, which ran concurrently with the joint Russia-Belarus Zapad-25 drills that included a number of partner countries.
—Tom O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Sep. 2025
Their primary activities are banner drops, training drills and online noise.
—Anna Kleiber, jsonline.com, 26 Sep. 2025
That included early hitting and outfield drills ahead of the team’s optional on-field batting practice.
—Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Sep. 2025
Verb
If New England drills the Dolphins, head coach Mike McDaniel might not make it to Week 3.
—Jon Greenberg, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2025
Parsons attended Cowboys practices during training camp but has not participated in any team drills.
—Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 8 Aug. 2025
After sitting out of Saturday’s team drills with arm soreness, Sanders was a full participant at Monday’s practice, but Flacco took all of the first-team reps during the 11-on-11 portion, according to ESPN.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 4 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for drills
Noun
-
Little kids will enjoy its pre-programmed songs and dances, while older kids can use a smart app to program new movement patterns and routines.—
Anja Webb,
Parents,
7 Oct. 2025
-
Last to mention is that there appears to be some lucky energy, either around your employment, routines or physical health.—
Kyle Thomas,
PEOPLE,
5 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The Chinese mainland is only about 250 miles from Kunsan, and the Bohai Sea, where the Chinese navy often holds exercises, is about 600 miles from the US air base.—
Brad Lendon,
CNN Money,
30 Sep. 2025
-
Taiwan's military is aware of this risk and has included such sites in past exercises.—
Micah McCartney,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
It’s finished with a generous sprinkling of salt and a few grinds of black pepper.—
Susan Selasky,
Freep.com,
31 Aug. 2025
-
And Destiny 2 has had some bad grinds in the past.—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes.com,
25 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
On September 24, Judge Smith permanently enjoined DHS from enforcing broad new immigration compliance conditions on a wide range of preparedness grants, ruling the agency had exceeded its statutory authority and failed to justify departing from longstanding grant practices.—
Robert Alexander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Oct. 2025
-
On Monday, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed the Transparency in Frontier Artificial Intelligence Act into law, requiring AI companies to disclose their safety practices while stopping short of mandating actual safety testing.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
30 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Drills.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drills. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.
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