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
Soo-Hyang Choi, Bloomberg, 9 Mar. 2026
Muschamp floated around to two different units during the viewing period, which mostly included individual drills for position groups.
—David Eckert, Austin American Statesman, 9 Mar. 2026
Lowe, who has been out with oblique tightness, took batting practice on Sunday and did some defensive drills on Monday.
—Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 9 Mar. 2026
There, they were put through the same three drills again at The Cliff, United’s former training ground where so many club legends once honed their craft.
—Chris McKenna, New York Times, 8 Mar. 2026
Soon, volleyball drills were being incorporated into Finn's rehabilitation.
—Jori Parys, CBS News, 8 Mar. 2026
The energy of youth and the newness of the group — not to mention a lighter air and reinvigoration for some returning coaches, who feel freer and more heard under Stammen than Shildt — has made for fun banter during drills and live batting practice sessions.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Mar. 2026
The Sterling Community Center sits where the high school used to, up a hill from a football field where over a dozen Black middle and high school students who are part of a mentorship/STEM program ran drills with their coaches the Sunday prior to Jackson lying in state at the State House.
—Darcel Rockett, Chicago Tribune, 2 Mar. 2026
The research team ran nineteen drills in three days.
—Burkhard Bilger, New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2026
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
Everette, who with punter Brett Thorson and long snapper Beau Gardner are the former Bulldogs competing in Senior Bowl drills this week, is adjusting to life after Georgia football.
—Mike Griffith, AJC.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Every college and pro coach drills the same message into their players’ heads, nothing good happens after midnight.
—Ryan Gaydos , Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 16 Nov. 2025
The state also limited preseason contact drills to six hours total and banned spring and summer practices.
—Alana Semuels, Time, 20 Oct. 2025
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
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
North Korea has long claimed that the drills are a rehearsal for invasion.
—Soo-Hyang Choi, Bloomberg, 9 Mar. 2026
Muschamp floated around to two different units during the viewing period, which mostly included individual drills for position groups.
—David Eckert, Austin American Statesman, 9 Mar. 2026
Lowe, who has been out with oblique tightness, took batting practice on Sunday and did some defensive drills on Monday.
—Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 9 Mar. 2026
There, they were put through the same three drills again at The Cliff, United’s former training ground where so many club legends once honed their craft.
—Chris McKenna, New York Times, 8 Mar. 2026
Soon, volleyball drills were being incorporated into Finn's rehabilitation.
—Jori Parys, CBS News, 8 Mar. 2026
The energy of youth and the newness of the group — not to mention a lighter air and reinvigoration for some returning coaches, who feel freer and more heard under Stammen than Shildt — has made for fun banter during drills and live batting practice sessions.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Mar. 2026
The Sterling Community Center sits where the high school used to, up a hill from a football field where over a dozen Black middle and high school students who are part of a mentorship/STEM program ran drills with their coaches the Sunday prior to Jackson lying in state at the State House.
—Darcel Rockett, Chicago Tribune, 2 Mar. 2026
The research team ran nineteen drills in three days.
—Burkhard Bilger, New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2026
Verb
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
Everette, who with punter Brett Thorson and long snapper Beau Gardner are the former Bulldogs competing in Senior Bowl drills this week, is adjusting to life after Georgia football.
—Mike Griffith, AJC.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Every college and pro coach drills the same message into their players’ heads, nothing good happens after midnight.
—Ryan Gaydos , Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 16 Nov. 2025
The state also limited preseason contact drills to six hours total and banned spring and summer practices.
—Alana Semuels, Time, 20 Oct. 2025
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
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
-
Residents' routines are shaped by caution and vigilance, and QueenEr'Re's death revived longstanding questions about safety and the city's efforts to address violence.—
Cameron Knight,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Fueled by complacency and our tendency to stick with familiar routines, these threats are becoming more dangerous every day.—
Don Aviv,
Time,
7 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The Freedom Shield exercises aim to enhance interoperability, reinforce combined defense posture, and increase overall combat readiness, according to the US military.—
Soo-hyang Choi,
Bloomberg,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Chair Yoga is a type of yoga that is modified to allow participants to perform all exercises seated.—
Kris Slugg,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Season with 1/4 teaspoon salt and several grinds of fresh pepper.—
Tribune Content Agency,
Baltimore Sun,
4 Mar. 2026
-
The base of the ski will be prepared with various grinds that respond to various snow conditions.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
16 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
In the lawsuit, Live Nation and Ticketmaster are accused of engaging in a variety of anticompetitive practices, including locking venues into long-term exclusive ticketing contracts and retaliating against rivals and venues that seek to use alternatives.—
Josh Sisco,
Bloomberg,
9 Mar. 2026
-
In July 2025, Delfin signed agreements with three communities along the Marañón River to restore and replant 425 acres of land degraded by clear-cutting and harmful agricultural practices.—
Lale Arikoglu,
Condé Nast Traveler,
8 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Drills.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drills. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.
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