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
Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 4 May 2026
Last week, Doncic began increasing movement outside of doing stationary drills during the early part of his recovery process, Redick said on April 26.
—Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 4 May 2026
That means text alerts that actually work, community drills and partnerships with schools, HOAs and local businesses.
—Steve Scauzillo, Daily News, 4 May 2026
But oil companies looking to expand production will want to ensure that customers are going to demand their crude by the time their new wells and drills come online.
—David Goldman, CNN Money, 4 May 2026
At the lone practice open to the media, Watson led the quarterback rotation in most drills, but Monken said the plan called for Sanders to get more reps overall.
—Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 2 May 2026
In the one practice open to reporters, Watson was usually first in line as the quarterbacks rotated through drills, but Monken said the practice script called for Sanders to take more total reps.
—Zac Jackson, New York Times, 1 May 2026
On Friday afternoon, as players and staff went through pregame drills and batting practice on the field at Fenway Park, a plane circled overhead.
—Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 1 May 2026
Officials say more neighborhood drills are likely, but anyone can practice on their own with the help of a stopwatch and a little planning.
—Spencer Wilson, CBS News, 27 Apr. 2026
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
The van’s speakers played a high-volume mashup of construction sounds, Jordan Peterson lectures, Marine Corps drills, and mumbling voices.
—Charles Bethea, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026
Pitchers throw every day in season between competition days, bullpens, flat ground sessions and box drills off of an incline from 35 feet out.
—Shawn McFarland, Dallas Morning News, 20 Mar. 2026
Another Arsenal goal kick and Raya, after a customary bit of stud cleaning, drills the ball long.
—Stuart James, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2026
Wingo and Mosley are both recovering from some nagging injuries suffered during 2025 and haven’t fully participated in offseason team drills.
—Thomas Jones, Austin American Statesman, 23 Feb. 2026
As the First Platoon commander for Gallatin's Navy JROTC , Nathan trains and drills more than 25 junior cadets during the school day and after hours.
—Andy Humbles, Nashville Tennessean, 20 Feb. 2026
Noun
But Edwards has continued to rehab and push, and participated in shooting drills after practices over the weekend.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 4 May 2026
Last week, Doncic began increasing movement outside of doing stationary drills during the early part of his recovery process, Redick said on April 26.
—Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 4 May 2026
That means text alerts that actually work, community drills and partnerships with schools, HOAs and local businesses.
—Steve Scauzillo, Daily News, 4 May 2026
But oil companies looking to expand production will want to ensure that customers are going to demand their crude by the time their new wells and drills come online.
—David Goldman, CNN Money, 4 May 2026
At the lone practice open to the media, Watson led the quarterback rotation in most drills, but Monken said the plan called for Sanders to get more reps overall.
—Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 2 May 2026
In the one practice open to reporters, Watson was usually first in line as the quarterbacks rotated through drills, but Monken said the practice script called for Sanders to take more total reps.
—Zac Jackson, New York Times, 1 May 2026
On Friday afternoon, as players and staff went through pregame drills and batting practice on the field at Fenway Park, a plane circled overhead.
—Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 1 May 2026
Officials say more neighborhood drills are likely, but anyone can practice on their own with the help of a stopwatch and a little planning.
—Spencer Wilson, CBS News, 27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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
The van’s speakers played a high-volume mashup of construction sounds, Jordan Peterson lectures, Marine Corps drills, and mumbling voices.
—Charles Bethea, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026
Pitchers throw every day in season between competition days, bullpens, flat ground sessions and box drills off of an incline from 35 feet out.
—Shawn McFarland, Dallas Morning News, 20 Mar. 2026
Another Arsenal goal kick and Raya, after a customary bit of stud cleaning, drills the ball long.
—Stuart James, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2026
Wingo and Mosley are both recovering from some nagging injuries suffered during 2025 and haven’t fully participated in offseason team drills.
—Thomas Jones, Austin American Statesman, 23 Feb. 2026
As the First Platoon commander for Gallatin's Navy JROTC , Nathan trains and drills more than 25 junior cadets during the school day and after hours.
—Andy Humbles, Nashville Tennessean, 20 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for drills
Noun
-
Uranus in your 6th House of Work can disrupt plans or routines without much warning.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
3 May 2026
-
The result is closer to a private members club that happens to be a place to stay—a refreshing alternative for the frequent Paris traveler eager to remove themself from the tourist crush and keep up their own work and fitness routines.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 May 2026
Noun
-
Chair Yoga is a type of yoga that is modified to allow participants to perform all exercises seated.—
Kris Slugg,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
2 May 2026
-
The 3-by-5 strength training protocol involves choosing 3–5 exercises, doing 3–5 sets of 3–5 reps, and resting for 3–5 minutes in between.—
Jenessa Connor,
Health,
1 May 2026
Noun
-
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
-
After using your coffee maker, clean the basin where the grinds go as well as the coffee pot using warm, soapy water.—
Madeline Buiano,
Martha Stewart,
18 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Wanda Enos Bachelor is on the board of the Indigenous Futures Society, which advocates for Indigenous ecological practices that were erased during the gold rush.—
Jennifer Wilson,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
-
Tung also offered advice for consumers seeking to avoid unknowingly supporting such practices.—
Jay Ganglani,
NBC news,
3 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Drills.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drills. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
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