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
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show current usage.
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Recent Examples of drinking
The project's cover artwork depicts Role Model (whose real name is Tucker Pillsbury) drinking from a beer bottle while sitting near a man and woman eating cake and looking at him while seemingly dressed for their wedding.
—
Jack Irvin, PEOPLE, 28 May 2026
This is not like drinking a glass of water.
—Catherine Ellis, Miami Herald, 28 May 2026
The Cleveland Clinic says drinking lemon water in the morning boosts your vitamin C and antioxidant intake.
—Yolanda Harris, AJC.com, 28 May 2026
Eating and drinking That Alain Ducasse chose Naples for his first Italian restaurant is testament to the history, quality and excitement that eating in the city can bring.
—Jamie Timson, TheWeek, 27 May 2026
About 62 million Americans — roughly 1 in 5 — may be drinking tap water with potentially harmful levels of nitrates in water, according to a new report from the Environmental Working Group.
—Ryan Brennan
may 27, Kansas City Star, 27 May 2026
About 62 million Americans — roughly 1 in 5 people — may be drinking tap water with potentially harmful nitrate levels, according to a recent Environmental Working Group (EWG) analysis of nearly 50,000 public water systems.
—Ryan Brennan
may 27, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 May 2026
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
Jack Irvin, PEOPLE, 28 May 2026
This is not like drinking a glass of water.
—Catherine Ellis, Miami Herald, 28 May 2026
The Cleveland Clinic says drinking lemon water in the morning boosts your vitamin C and antioxidant intake.
—Yolanda Harris, AJC.com, 28 May 2026
Eating and drinking That Alain Ducasse chose Naples for his first Italian restaurant is testament to the history, quality and excitement that eating in the city can bring.
—Jamie Timson, TheWeek, 27 May 2026
About 62 million Americans — roughly 1 in 5 — may be drinking tap water with potentially harmful levels of nitrates in water, according to a new report from the Environmental Working Group.
—Ryan Brennan
may 27, Kansas City Star, 27 May 2026
About 62 million Americans — roughly 1 in 5 people — may be drinking tap water with potentially harmful nitrate levels, according to a recent Environmental Working Group (EWG) analysis of nearly 50,000 public water systems.
—Ryan Brennan
may 27, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 May 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for drinking
Verb
-
In other words, avoid swishing seltzers in your mouth, drinking a lot of them or even sipping one throughout the day.—
The New York Times News Service Syndicate,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 May 2026
-
As Rosneqvist celebrated by sipping milk, then dumping it over his head, Malukas was consoled by his father in pit lane.—
Michael Marot,
Los Angeles Times,
24 May 2026
Verb
-
Still, Garance’s death stare into the void, where this woman is still hard-boozing 90 minutes into the movie, starts to run its premise thin despite Exarchopoulos’ terrific and totally internalized turn.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
17 May 2026
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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
Verb
-
Breaking up the tofu with your hands like this dramatically increases its surface area, all the better for absorbing the heady seasoning blend of cumin, coriander, and crushed red pepper flakes.—
Shilpa Uskokovic,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
28 May 2026
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This interlocking mechanism transforms a soft, bending material into a highly rigid internal skeleton capable of absorbing forces.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
27 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,
25 May 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
-
The notion of a film set swallowing its own crew is fitting given the source material.—
Olivia Tauber,
Vanity Fair,
25 May 2026
-
Second, foundational models are swallowing the application layer.—
Vivian Toh,
Forbes.com,
18 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 2 Jun. 2026.
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