Synonyms of drills

drills 1 of 3

noun

plural of drill

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

• routines
• grinds
• ruts
• grooves
• patterns
• techniques
• habits
• rotes
• methods
• treadmills
• practices
• locksteps
• procedures
• strategies
• regimens
• programs
• plans
• traditions
• approaches
• styles
• customs
• tricks
• tacks
• policies
• schemes
• housekeepings
• manners
• daily dozens
• designs
• fashions
• conventions
• ways
• wonts

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

• exercises
• practices
• lessons
• workouts
• trainings
• routines
• homeworks
• assignments
• refreshers
• brushups
• reviews

drills

2 of 3

verb (1)

present tense third-person singular of drill

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

• punches
• holes
• pierces
• pokes
• bores
• punctures
• taps
• perforates
• riddles
• cuts
• penetrates
• breaks
• splits
• broaches
• pricks
• excavates
• slashes
• grooves
• burrows (into)
• slits
• gouges
• hollows
• ruptures
• notches
• rends
• prickles
• gashes

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• fills
• plugs
• seals
• patches

2

as in shoots

to strike with a missile from a gun

drilled the target from 100 yards away

Synonyms & Similar Words

• shoots
• guns
• pops
• plugs
• drops
• kills
• destroys
• slaughters
• pistols
• slays
• brings down
• blows away
• picks off
• machine-guns
• shoots down
• fires (at)
• peppers
• shotguns
• blazes
• dispatches
• blasts (at)
• massacres
• butchers
• tommy-guns
• wipes out
• potshots
• snipes (at)
• ices
• blots out
• fells
• annihilates
• decimates
• does in
• croaks

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

• plants
• seeds
• puts in
• sows
• beds
• transplants
• broadcasts
• replants
• pots
• scatters
• reseeds
• overseeds

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• gathers
• reaps
• harvests

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of drills

Noun

Tuesday morning’s workout brought a welcome diversion from drills, when SDSU players and coaches moved from the turf to the grass practice field and actually played some football. — Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Aug. 2026

During the several-day assessment, Hubei’s crew conducted anti-aircraft gunnery drills, successfully using the ship’s weapons to destroy a target drone. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 11 Aug. 2026

Taiwan is conducting its largest-ever annual military preparedness drills alongside extensive civil defense exercises aimed at mobilizing a whole-of-society response in the event of conflict with China. — Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 11 Aug. 2026

The drills, called Ulchi Freedom Shield, were expected to draw an angry response from North Korea, because the country views the training as a rehearsal to invade it. — ABC News, 11 Aug. 2026

Down practice for Kayshon Boutte, who didn’t lack for opportunity in team drills. — Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 11 Aug. 2026

Sacramento State President Luke Wood and Hornets Athletic Director Mark Orr were also on hand for practice drills. — Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 11 Aug. 2026

The running back whisperer is back Bieniemy dove right back in upon his return, paying special attention to the running backs during the Chiefs’ pass-blocking drills. — Kansas City Star, 10 Aug. 2026

Cisse was targeted three times during one-on-one drills and didn't allow a completion. — Rob Reischel, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026

Verb

These plays are happening during individual coverage and limited-contact team drills. — Mike Kaye august 5, Charlotte Observer, 5 Aug. 2026

Allen’s recent emergence had fans wondering Saturday why Allen was working special teams drills at all, given his potential impact at receiver this season. — Jesse Newell, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2026

The team’s entire draft class has participated in some fashion during special teams drills. — Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 1 Aug. 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