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 Tartan Army finally made it to Fenway, a sort of Loch Ness Monster meeting the Green Monstah, in time to watch the Texas Rangers beat the Red Sox 6-4, apparently drinking the Hub dry.
—
Scott M. Reid,
Oc Register,
26 June 2026
And the risk isn’t only from drinking.
—
Ryan Brennan,
Miami Herald,
24 June 2026
In college, drinking Belvedere vodka, which appeared in many a Jay-Z track in the early 2000s, felt like a rite of passage.
—
Jabari M. Evans,
The Conversation,
24 June 2026
As digital fatigue and a steady drift away from drinking reshape young adult social life, board games are quietly becoming the social ritual of a generation.
—
Hanna Wickes,
Sacbee.com,
24 June 2026
Sometimes there are six of them in there, with a few taking full-on baths, the others drinking and thinking about life, and telling each other to move over.
—
Stephanie Osmanski,
Better Homes & Gardens,
24 June 2026
The shift also tracks with post-pandemic loneliness reporting from the New York Times and Gallup data showing young adults are drinking less than previous generations.
—
Hanna Wickes,
Charlotte Observer,
24 June 2026
There was an increase in drinking from 2021 to 2023 among San Diego Unified high school students, especially those 18 and older.
—
Maura Fox,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 June 2026
While the two keep drinking and wait for a rare lunar event, old grievances, outrageous escapades, and macho rivalries explode to the surface.
—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
18 June 2026
Scott M. Reid,
Oc Register,
26 June 2026
And the risk isn’t only from drinking.
—
Ryan Brennan,
Miami Herald,
24 June 2026
In college, drinking Belvedere vodka, which appeared in many a Jay-Z track in the early 2000s, felt like a rite of passage.
—
Jabari M. Evans,
The Conversation,
24 June 2026
As digital fatigue and a steady drift away from drinking reshape young adult social life, board games are quietly becoming the social ritual of a generation.
—
Hanna Wickes,
Sacbee.com,
24 June 2026
Sometimes there are six of them in there, with a few taking full-on baths, the others drinking and thinking about life, and telling each other to move over.
—
Stephanie Osmanski,
Better Homes & Gardens,
24 June 2026
The shift also tracks with post-pandemic loneliness reporting from the New York Times and Gallup data showing young adults are drinking less than previous generations.
—
Hanna Wickes,
Charlotte Observer,
24 June 2026
There was an increase in drinking from 2021 to 2023 among San Diego Unified high school students, especially those 18 and older.
—
Maura Fox,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 June 2026
While the two keep drinking and wait for a rare lunar event, old grievances, outrageous escapades, and macho rivalries explode to the surface.
—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
18 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for drinking
Verb
-
At almost the 59-minute mark, when Brazil was up 2-0, the camera pans to Butler looking glum and sipping his drink; Brown, expressionless, has her head resting in her hand.
-
During the cooler months, everyone sits bundled up around the fire or on the porch on rainy nights, sipping great wines.
Verb
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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.
-
Ferrara makes no bones about the catastrophic consequences of so much boozing and chasing the dragon on his personal life and finances.
Verb
-
The Americans are used to being the team that brings the game to their opponent, not being the squad that is absorbing and repelling attacks.
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The weeklong route between Luxor and Aswan revolves around temple visits, with evenings on board built for unwinding and absorbing the day.
Verb
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Others can’t stand the sound of gulping.
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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.
Verb
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Patients may initially experience jaw stiffness, neck pain, back pain or difficulty swallowing.
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An alligator at the Sacramento Zoo is recovering after swallowing – and later regurgitating – a plush toy that fell into its habitat.
Verb
-
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.
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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.
Cite this Entry
“Drinking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drinking. Accessed 30 Jun. 2026.
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