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
Shawn McFarland, Dallas Morning News, 16 Feb. 2026
At one point, Barkley chatted with Pete Crow-Armstrong and Alex Bregman between drills.
—Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 16 Feb. 2026
Bow drills were used to work wood, stone, beads and other materials.
—Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 13 Feb. 2026
After completing fielding drills with Washington and Jolbert Cabrera, the fundamentals coach for Triple-A Sacramento, Eldridge listened intently to Washington’s defensive guidance for several minutes.
—Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 11 Feb. 2026
Last year, about 9,000 American and 5,000 Filipino military personnel took part in one of their largest annual combat drills in the Philippines in years.
—Jim Gomez, Los Angeles Times, 10 Feb. 2026
Where Mayer and Durbin are stationed during spring training drills will provide an early indicator of their potential landing spots.
—Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 10 Feb. 2026
Solomon said the team was not supposed to be running full-contact drills, so his son was not wearing a helmet when the injury occurred.
—Cbs Chicago Team, CBS News, 9 Feb. 2026
University of Arkansas men's basketball Coach John Calipari has ceased box-out drills.
—Matt Byrne, Arkansas Online, 9 Feb. 2026
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
By Sunday afternoon, after five days of bullpens and long toss, the complex backfields were stuffed with batting cages and base running drills.
—Shawn McFarland, Dallas Morning News, 16 Feb. 2026
At one point, Barkley chatted with Pete Crow-Armstrong and Alex Bregman between drills.
—Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 16 Feb. 2026
Bow drills were used to work wood, stone, beads and other materials.
—Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 13 Feb. 2026
After completing fielding drills with Washington and Jolbert Cabrera, the fundamentals coach for Triple-A Sacramento, Eldridge listened intently to Washington’s defensive guidance for several minutes.
—Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 11 Feb. 2026
Last year, about 9,000 American and 5,000 Filipino military personnel took part in one of their largest annual combat drills in the Philippines in years.
—Jim Gomez, Los Angeles Times, 10 Feb. 2026
Where Mayer and Durbin are stationed during spring training drills will provide an early indicator of their potential landing spots.
—Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 10 Feb. 2026
Solomon said the team was not supposed to be running full-contact drills, so his son was not wearing a helmet when the injury occurred.
—Cbs Chicago Team, CBS News, 9 Feb. 2026
University of Arkansas men's basketball Coach John Calipari has ceased box-out drills.
—Matt Byrne, Arkansas Online, 9 Feb. 2026
Verb
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
-
Figure skaters close their eyes and go through their routines.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Feb. 2026
-
This music-heavy YouTube series encourages kids to get moving with original songs and dance routines.—
Kara Nesvig,
Parents,
14 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Do one complete set (on both sides for the sided exercises) from each of the three categories above at least once daily.—
Dana Santas,
CNN Money,
15 Feb. 2026
-
The exercises that build a strong, defined back A balanced routine that includes strength training, cardio, and mobility can improve everything from daily function to athletic performance, while also shaping muscle over time.—
Ciara Lucas,
SELF,
15 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Don’t put corn husks, coffee grinds, onion peels, peach pits, eggshells, bones, vegetable peels, meat scraps, grease and large amounts of pasta down the drain.—
Jessica Elliott,
Dallas Morning News,
10 Feb. 2026
-
This is because the amount of coffee that can fit in a volumetric measuring tool like a tablespoon can vary with different grinds.—
Noah Kaufman,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Thus, the article stressed that the Chinese navy must urgently address these risks, offering an unusually detailed proposal for a systematic crash-response plan, drawing lessons from US Navy salvage practices to improve readiness and protect sensitive technology.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Public Act 23-167, passed in 2023, called on schools to begin implementing restorative justice practices — the goal being to address problematic student behavior without resorting to punitive measures like suspension.—
Theo Peck-Suzuki,
Hartford Courant,
15 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Drills.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drills. Accessed 19 Feb. 2026.
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