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.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of drills
Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 29 Mar. 2026
Morgan Cheli participates in open practice Sophomore guard Morgan Cheli was running on the court and participating in shooting drills with the Huskies during their open practice period Friday, marking the first time this season she’s been active during a public practice or game.
—Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 27 Mar. 2026
In Boston, Curry participated in pregame shooting drills for the first time since getting hurt.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 27 Mar. 2026
Roughly 30 Oak Ridge students, who were provided lunch and some team swag by the Magic, got to join Carter on the court for various basketball drills after the ceremony.
—Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Mar. 2026
Ezukanma has also been hard to matchup with during one-on-ones and had a few nice grabs during team drills.
—Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Mar. 2026
The staff has implemented drills that focus on a player’s specific movement or job during various plays.
—Anthony Solorzano, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2026
The redshirt junior was sharp in Thursday's practice, fitting throws into tight windows during team period and seven-on-seven drills.
—Tony Catalina, Austin American Statesman, 26 Mar. 2026
Allen’s testing on the drills were not made available by the university.
—Mike Kaye
march 24, Charlotte Observer, 24 Mar. 2026
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
The state also limited preseason contact drills to six hours total and banned spring and summer practices.
—Alana Semuels, Time, 20 Oct. 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
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
Morgan Cheli participates in open practice Sophomore guard Morgan Cheli was running on the court and participating in shooting drills with the Huskies during their open practice period Friday, marking the first time this season she’s been active during a public practice or game.
—Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 27 Mar. 2026
In Boston, Curry participated in pregame shooting drills for the first time since getting hurt.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 27 Mar. 2026
Roughly 30 Oak Ridge students, who were provided lunch and some team swag by the Magic, got to join Carter on the court for various basketball drills after the ceremony.
—Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Mar. 2026
Ezukanma has also been hard to matchup with during one-on-ones and had a few nice grabs during team drills.
—Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Mar. 2026
The staff has implemented drills that focus on a player’s specific movement or job during various plays.
—Anthony Solorzano, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2026
The redshirt junior was sharp in Thursday's practice, fitting throws into tight windows during team period and seven-on-seven drills.
—Tony Catalina, Austin American Statesman, 26 Mar. 2026
Allen’s testing on the drills were not made available by the university.
—Mike Kaye
march 24, Charlotte Observer, 24 Mar. 2026
Verb
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
The state also limited preseason contact drills to six hours total and banned spring and summer practices.
—Alana Semuels, Time, 20 Oct. 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
-
These words are the first step to building long-term routines that genuinely work for all collaborators.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
28 Mar. 2026
-
The vans serve about 190 students, many of whom rely on strict daily routines.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
28 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The exercises below are broken up across those three categories.—
Jim Diehl CSCS,
Outside,
29 Mar. 2026
-
This unique training chair supports over 20 exercises, including back extensions and glute work, and is ideal for building core strength.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
28 Mar. 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
-
The film directed by Vivian Sorenson and Jonathan Nastasi invites viewers to reevaluate the current American food system which has achieved massive scale, delivery of cheap calories to consumers and immense profits to mega corporations but at the expense of healthy food and sustainable practices.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Sessions span multiple yoga styles (vinyasa, yin, restorative, kundalini), meditation practices, breathwork, sound healing, personal development workshops, outdoor mindfulness experiences and Yoga Nidra before bedtime.—
Moira McCarthy,
Boston Herald,
29 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Drills.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drills. Accessed 31 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
