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
Dave Smith, Fortune, 30 Oct. 2025
But nowadays the only drills involve morning yoga and afternoon picnics.
—Benjamin Svetkey, HollywoodReporter, 30 Oct. 2025
Traditional drills and melting probes are heavy, complex and consume vast amounts of power.
—Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 30 Oct. 2025
Later that day, the entire team visited the USS Abraham Lincoln, a Nimitz-class aircraft carrier, where hundreds of active-duty sailors observed the Chargers’ walk-through, participated in drills, met with players and coaches, and showed the team around the carrier.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 29 Oct. 2025
The Carolina Panthers’ starting quarterback worked with his teammates during individual drills on Wednesday in front of the media.
—Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 29 Oct. 2025
The man is a yeoman on the diamond, having spent the past couple of seasons showing up early and sweating out infield drills to refine his skills at shortstop.
—Mirjam Swanson, Oc Register, 29 Oct. 2025
Conversely, after Lai used less antagonistic language toward China in speeches this May and October, China declined to hold large military drills.
—Stephen Wertheim, Foreign Affairs, 28 Oct. 2025
Also Monday, the committee discussed other states’ open carry policies, heard from a firm that is working on a third-party review of the Capitol’s security and discussed whether lawmakers should be practicing active shooter drills in their chambers.
—Mary Murphy, Twin Cities, 28 Oct. 2025
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
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
Noun
Monthly weekend drills for many reservists also have been canceled, eliminating a chunk of pay that can be several hundred dollars each month, military advocates said.
—Dave Smith, Fortune, 30 Oct. 2025
But nowadays the only drills involve morning yoga and afternoon picnics.
—Benjamin Svetkey, HollywoodReporter, 30 Oct. 2025
Traditional drills and melting probes are heavy, complex and consume vast amounts of power.
—Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 30 Oct. 2025
Later that day, the entire team visited the USS Abraham Lincoln, a Nimitz-class aircraft carrier, where hundreds of active-duty sailors observed the Chargers’ walk-through, participated in drills, met with players and coaches, and showed the team around the carrier.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 29 Oct. 2025
The Carolina Panthers’ starting quarterback worked with his teammates during individual drills on Wednesday in front of the media.
—Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 29 Oct. 2025
The man is a yeoman on the diamond, having spent the past couple of seasons showing up early and sweating out infield drills to refine his skills at shortstop.
—Mirjam Swanson, Oc Register, 29 Oct. 2025
Conversely, after Lai used less antagonistic language toward China in speeches this May and October, China declined to hold large military drills.
—Stephen Wertheim, Foreign Affairs, 28 Oct. 2025
Also Monday, the committee discussed other states’ open carry policies, heard from a firm that is working on a third-party review of the Capitol’s security and discussed whether lawmakers should be practicing active shooter drills in their chambers.
—Mary Murphy, Twin Cities, 28 Oct. 2025
Verb
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
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
-
Stick with familiar bedtime routines like bath, story and lights out, even if the bedtime is temporarily off.—
Katia Hetter,
CNN Money,
3 Nov. 2025
-
That shift in focus led Clark to design short, predictable sessions that respect toddlers’ routines, rhythms, and attention spans while giving them consistent positive exposure to movement.—
Matt Emma,
USA Today,
3 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The latest escalation followed a statement Sunday from Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez, who accused Washington and Trinidad and Tobago of coordinating military exercises intended to provoke an armed confrontation in the Caribbean.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
28 Oct. 2025
-
Beijing intensified military exercises around Taiwan and began to send ever more planes and ships across the median line of the strait.—
STEPHEN WERTHEIM,
Foreign Affairs,
28 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Upgrade your movie marathons, gaming grinds, and Sunday chill sessions with this gorgeous 50 inch Hisense 4K Smart TV.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
20 Oct. 2025
-
It’s finished with a generous sprinkling of salt and a few grinds of black pepper.—
Susan Selasky,
Freep.com,
31 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Zoelle is committed to innovative storytelling, complex characters, and inclusive production practices, assembling 50/50 teams and empowering women creatives in leadership roles.—
Rafa Sales Ross,
Variety,
28 Oct. 2025
-
Standard waste practices such as landfilling, mechanical recycling, and incineration fail to manage plastic properly and often generate secondary pollution.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
28 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Drills.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drills. Accessed 5 Nov. 2025.
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