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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of drills
Dan Ringo, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Commanders emphasized that the drills are not just about riot shields and tactical maneuvers.
—Arkansas Online, 7 Sep. 2025
Schanuel is continuing to do defensive drills.
—Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 7 Sep. 2025
Something did not feel right on Thursday so McCaffrey extricated himself from team drills.
—Cam Inman, Mercury News, 6 Sep. 2025
What To Know The participating countries conducted the drills on Tuesday and Wednesday inside the Philippines' exclusive economic zone (EEZ), off the west coast of Zambales province on the main island of Luzon, according to a statement from the Philippine military.
—Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Sep. 2025
The two countries even signed a new partnership agreement and launched joint military drills.
—Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2025
There were drills with Storm Chasers hitting coach Bijan Rademacher in the batting cage.
—Kansas City Star, 4 Sep. 2025
Cruise lines developed virtual muster drills to accommodate social distancing, and most have retained that format, according to Adam Duckworth, president and founder of Travelmation.
—Zach Wichter, USA TODAY, 14 Mar. 2025
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
Far from being just technical work, the trades offer daily leadership drills that sharpen critical management qualities.
—Dan Ringo, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Commanders emphasized that the drills are not just about riot shields and tactical maneuvers.
—Arkansas Online, 7 Sep. 2025
Schanuel is continuing to do defensive drills.
—Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 7 Sep. 2025
Something did not feel right on Thursday so McCaffrey extricated himself from team drills.
—Cam Inman, Mercury News, 6 Sep. 2025
What To Know The participating countries conducted the drills on Tuesday and Wednesday inside the Philippines' exclusive economic zone (EEZ), off the west coast of Zambales province on the main island of Luzon, according to a statement from the Philippine military.
—Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Sep. 2025
The two countries even signed a new partnership agreement and launched joint military drills.
—Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2025
There were drills with Storm Chasers hitting coach Bijan Rademacher in the batting cage.
—Kansas City Star, 4 Sep. 2025
Cruise lines developed virtual muster drills to accommodate social distancing, and most have retained that format, according to Adam Duckworth, president and founder of Travelmation.
—Zach Wichter, USA TODAY, 14 Mar. 2025
Verb
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
-
The everything shower has nothing on our PEOPLE testers’ routines.—
Jackie Fields,
PEOPLE,
9 Sep. 2025
-
In addition, people may experience anxiety or depression related to summer's end and the return to school and work routines, Prism Medical Products says.—
Jenna Prestininzi,
Freep.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The Pro 3 will also be able to sense heart rate and calories burned during workouts and track up to 50 different kinds of exercises through Apple’s fitness app.—
Clare Duffy,
CNN Money,
9 Sep. 2025
-
This despite the big downward revision to estimates of job growth from April 2024 through March 2025, a somewhat greater change than most benchmark-revision exercises but consistent with other signs of a low-metabolism job market.—
Michael Santoli,
CNBC,
9 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
-
Bill 2331/22 establishes a minimum theatrical window of 63 days (nine weeks), which represents an improvement in relation to current market practices but is less than what exhibitors and distributors demand.—
Marcelo Cajueiro,
Variety,
9 Sep. 2025
-
If your organization hasn't taken a hard look at its logging practices, now is the time.—
Bill Hineline,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Drills.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drills. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.
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