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 song’s promotional image, shot by Stella Blackmon, shows the singer seated on a hotel bed, drinking one of American convenience store 7-Eleven’s greatest hits, the Big Gulp.
—
Margaux Anbouba, Vogue, 23 Jan. 2026
Both men were in the bar hours earlier drinking and watching the Kansas City Chiefs narrowly beat the Philadelphia Eagles in the 2023 Super Bowl.
—David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 22 Jan. 2026
While the debate continues about what exactly might be causing this glut, the article points to the pandemic when people were drinking a lot more at home (understandably) and producers were encouraged to increase production.
—Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 21 Jan. 2026
In addition to her skincare and makeup routine, Martha also credits her healthy hair and skin to exercising, eating well, wearing sunblock, and drinking her green juice everyday.
—Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 21 Jan. 2026
The restaurant’s own chili paste adds just enough fire to the soup, whose broth is on the lighter side – not like drinking the liquid pork that some kitchens proudly prepare.
—John Metcalfe, Mercury News, 21 Jan. 2026
It’s often framed as an all-or-nothing challenge to stop drinking after the holidays, when alcohol consumption is often higher.
—Daniel Wine, CNN Money, 21 Jan. 2026
This doesn't mean that drinking milk first will eliminate the impact of cookies on your blood sugar.
—Sarah Bence, Verywell Health, 21 Jan. 2026
Distilled water is often used for more than just drinking.
—Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 15 Jan. 2026
Margaux Anbouba, Vogue, 23 Jan. 2026
Both men were in the bar hours earlier drinking and watching the Kansas City Chiefs narrowly beat the Philadelphia Eagles in the 2023 Super Bowl.
—David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 22 Jan. 2026
While the debate continues about what exactly might be causing this glut, the article points to the pandemic when people were drinking a lot more at home (understandably) and producers were encouraged to increase production.
—Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 21 Jan. 2026
In addition to her skincare and makeup routine, Martha also credits her healthy hair and skin to exercising, eating well, wearing sunblock, and drinking her green juice everyday.
—Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 21 Jan. 2026
The restaurant’s own chili paste adds just enough fire to the soup, whose broth is on the lighter side – not like drinking the liquid pork that some kitchens proudly prepare.
—John Metcalfe, Mercury News, 21 Jan. 2026
It’s often framed as an all-or-nothing challenge to stop drinking after the holidays, when alcohol consumption is often higher.
—Daniel Wine, CNN Money, 21 Jan. 2026
This doesn't mean that drinking milk first will eliminate the impact of cookies on your blood sugar.
—Sarah Bence, Verywell Health, 21 Jan. 2026
Distilled water is often used for more than just drinking.
—Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 15 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for drinking
Verb
-
In the end, the town promises a simpler life, sipping strong espressos beneath fluttering palm trees.—
Dana Sauchelli,
Travel + Leisure,
22 Jan. 2026
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Meanwhile, days are spent sipping ceremonial matcha in the open-air tea house, strolling beneath clouds of cherry blossoms each spring, or pausing before the towering bronze Buddha.—
Lewis Nunn,
Forbes.com,
22 Jan. 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
-
Hoekstra spent 15 years at Herman Miller absorbing lessons that would prove useful far beyond furniture sales.—
Karl Moore,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 2026
-
Aerospace teams could print crash-resistant panels or radar-absorbing components.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Protostars are messy and dynamic, gulping down material in spurts and fits and ejecting powerful outflows of wind and jets that punch into the surrounding clouds.—
Kenna Hughes-Castleberry,
Space.com,
16 Jan. 2026
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The cayenne pepper lingers on the tongue for a full minute after gulping the shot down.—
April Benshosan,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
5 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Symptoms can include abdominal pain or discomfort, blurred or double vision, dilated pupils, dizziness, drooping eyelid, dry or sore throat, facial muscle paralysis, nausea or vomiting, swollen belly, and trouble swallowing and speaking.—
Michele Laufik,
Martha Stewart,
20 Jan. 2026
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For dry mouth, dipping food in sauce or gravy and sipping water throughout the day may help with swallowing.—
Stephanie Brown,
PEOPLE,
20 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Today, Morgan responded to some Good Morning Britain banter in which the show’s presenters jokingly suggested Morgan might have tripped after imbibing.—
Greg Evans,
Deadline,
19 Jan. 2026
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Enjoy watching the players battle it out on a giant projector while imbibing a Dope AF lychee martini or PB&J Old Fashioned.—
Michael Butler,
Miami Herald,
16 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Drinking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drinking. Accessed 27 Jan. 2026.
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