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
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Recent Examples of drills
Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 5 Apr. 2026
The group congregated for a workout with some outfielders heading out to center for drills.
—Betsy Helfand, Twin Cities, 5 Apr. 2026
Still sweating from Saturday’s practice after being a full participant in all drills, Curry looked and sounded ready to get back on the court.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 4 Apr. 2026
Breaking in the offense The wide receiver group had a good day of practice, with Florida transfer Aidan Mizell looking like a serious difference-maker during 1-on-1 drills.
—Gabriel Duarte, Daily News, 4 Apr. 2026
That even reached a low point during the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine, where a clip of Glenn appearing to nap during prospect drills went viral, becoming an embarrassing meme for the fanbase.
—Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 3 Apr. 2026
Phase three, considered the OTA window, features 7-on-7, 9-on-7 and 11-on-11 drills — without live contact — with the offense against the defense.
—Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 3 Apr. 2026
The next phases progress to drills on the field, including Organized Team Activities (OTAs).
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 3 Apr. 2026
However, Barkov began doing individual on-ice drills in January and joined the team for practice sessions in a non-contact jersey in mid-March.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 29 Mar. 2026
Charles Bethea, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026
Skeleton drills with rags hanging from their shorts.
—Nick Canepa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 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
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
Noun
As his teammates warmed up for the second half, Lendeborg went through some drills with Matt Aldred, the team’s strength and conditioning coach.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 5 Apr. 2026
The group congregated for a workout with some outfielders heading out to center for drills.
—Betsy Helfand, Twin Cities, 5 Apr. 2026
Still sweating from Saturday’s practice after being a full participant in all drills, Curry looked and sounded ready to get back on the court.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 4 Apr. 2026
Breaking in the offense The wide receiver group had a good day of practice, with Florida transfer Aidan Mizell looking like a serious difference-maker during 1-on-1 drills.
—Gabriel Duarte, Daily News, 4 Apr. 2026
That even reached a low point during the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine, where a clip of Glenn appearing to nap during prospect drills went viral, becoming an embarrassing meme for the fanbase.
—Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 3 Apr. 2026
Phase three, considered the OTA window, features 7-on-7, 9-on-7 and 11-on-11 drills — without live contact — with the offense against the defense.
—Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 3 Apr. 2026
The next phases progress to drills on the field, including Organized Team Activities (OTAs).
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 3 Apr. 2026
However, Barkov began doing individual on-ice drills in January and joined the team for practice sessions in a non-contact jersey in mid-March.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 29 Mar. 2026
Verb
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
Skeleton drills with rags hanging from their shorts.
—Nick Canepa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for drills
Noun
-
This makes spring an ideal time to reassess your cleaning habits and start new home maintenance routines.—
Alora Bopray,
USA Today,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Brown saw it in the smallest routines at Northwood.—
C.J. Holmes,
New York Daily News,
4 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The learning process involves no textbooks, no exercises, no memorization, no facts.—
Kristen Roupenian,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
-
Blood and urine tests, Breathalyzers and field sobriety exercises, meanwhile, can help show if a driver is under the influence after a crash or traffic violation.—
Doug Turnbull,
AJC.com,
5 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Finish with a few grinds of black pepper and serve.—
Nancy Vienneau,
Southern Living,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Season with 1/4 teaspoon salt and several grinds of fresh pepper.—
Tribune Content Agency,
Baltimore Sun,
4 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
In October, attorneys suing ICE for its arrest practices questioned the now-former head of ICE’s Denver field office about a prior Post analysis of the Berkeley data.—
Seth Klamann,
Denver Post,
6 Apr. 2026
-
Families should consider making a nutritious snack available an hour or so before sports practices so children with that earlier lunch time have energy available to fuel activities.—
Dr. Sarah Kinsella,
Boston Herald,
5 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Drills.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drills. Accessed 10 Apr. 2026.
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