1
as in sipping
to swallow in liquid form
the doctor wants her to drink lots of water before the examination
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in boozing
to partake excessively of alcoholic beverages
we're worried that she's started drinking again
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in absorbing
to take in (something liquid) through small openings
the hot surface of the porous rock drank water like a sponge
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of drinking
The new ranch comes with a coffee-drinking porch (mandatory), but it is weathered, rustic and needs work.
—
Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 15 May 2026
She was killed when Hoang and a group of friends went out drinking and decided to rob homes in the Port Arthur area, the agency said.
—Kelsie Cairns, FOXNews.com, 14 May 2026
Troopers say deciding to drive distracted is as serious as someone getting behind the wheel after drinking.
—Brian Sherrod, CBS News, 14 May 2026
Starting with smaller portions, adding fiber gradually, and drinking enough water can help your digestion adjust and reduce discomfort.
—Kathleen Ferraro, Verywell Health, 13 May 2026
People just hang out there drinking bottles of wine, talking about movies.
—Bridget Knowles, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 May 2026
Six of the eight people who died had been drinking, autopsy reports released last August showed.
—Paul Rogers, Mercury News, 13 May 2026
Instead, the administration has loosened guidelines on drinking and slashed efforts to understand alcohol addiction, prevent more of it, and help people find a way out.
—Lev Facher, STAT, 12 May 2026
Still, the vibe was conspicuously relaxed a mere block away, where locals at a restaurant were smoking copiously, drinking beer and listening to Top 40.
—Steven Blum, HollywoodReporter, 12 May 2026
Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 15 May 2026
She was killed when Hoang and a group of friends went out drinking and decided to rob homes in the Port Arthur area, the agency said.
—Kelsie Cairns, FOXNews.com, 14 May 2026
Troopers say deciding to drive distracted is as serious as someone getting behind the wheel after drinking.
—Brian Sherrod, CBS News, 14 May 2026
Starting with smaller portions, adding fiber gradually, and drinking enough water can help your digestion adjust and reduce discomfort.
—Kathleen Ferraro, Verywell Health, 13 May 2026
People just hang out there drinking bottles of wine, talking about movies.
—Bridget Knowles, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 May 2026
Six of the eight people who died had been drinking, autopsy reports released last August showed.
—Paul Rogers, Mercury News, 13 May 2026
Instead, the administration has loosened guidelines on drinking and slashed efforts to understand alcohol addiction, prevent more of it, and help people find a way out.
—Lev Facher, STAT, 12 May 2026
Still, the vibe was conspicuously relaxed a mere block away, where locals at a restaurant were smoking copiously, drinking beer and listening to Top 40.
—Steven Blum, HollywoodReporter, 12 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for drinking
Verb
-
Can that happen while holed up in a luxury resort, sipping coffee and watching whales from the balcony?—
Laura Dannen Redman,
Robb Report,
14 May 2026
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Fans feeling the vapors here can loll about in actual lounge chairs while sipping their cocktails and viewing play on a big screen.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
13 May 2026
Verb
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Ferrara makes no bones about the catastrophic consequences of so much boozing and chasing the dragon on his personal life and finances.—
Nick Pinkerton,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Oct. 2025
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At the same time, unlike other artists of the bro-country ilk, Aldean personally refrained from boozing it up throughout the show, waiting to pull out a red Solo cup with a shot of tequila in it until there were just 11 minutes left in a set that ran 97.—
Theoden Janes,
Charlotte Observer,
23 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The cells use perovskite, a material known for absorbing sunlight efficiently at lower production costs than silicon.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
14 May 2026
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Getting covers and shades for windows is another way to keep heat from absorbing into your home, the federal energy agency said.—
Hali Smith,
Idaho Statesman,
14 May 2026
Verb
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This viral anti-slip slow feeder lick bowl helps prevent gulping and bloating, while keeping your dogs entertained for longer with a healthy, fun challenge.—
Kasey Caminiti,
USA Today,
20 Feb. 2026
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Yes, gulping the liquid the night before was an ordeal — try drinking three liters of anything in three hours, going to sleep, then waking up six hours later for one final liter.—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Symptoms of salmonella poisoning Symptoms of salmonella poisoning usually start six hours to six days after swallowing the bacteria.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA Today,
12 May 2026
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The brand's Bella stretch jeans are equally suitable, designed to fit without swallowing small frames.—
Tanya Sharma,
PEOPLE,
11 May 2026
Verb
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Guests who prefer imbibing to detoxing can also book cigar-rolling workshops, wine and rum tastings, and even personalized private dinners in Le Cave, which is the oldest wine cellar in the region and down the stairs from L’Oursin.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 May 2026
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With Vuckovich on the cusp of his 90th birthday, the seven-decade spread between the pianist and Tang embodies jazz’s crucial generational reach, with young players imbibing essential seasoning via direct contact with veteran masters.—
Andrew Gilbert,
Mercury News,
7 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Drinking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drinking. Accessed 19 May. 2026.
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