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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Recent Examples of drinking
Danny is, once again, drinking and trying to hide it.
—
Brian Moylan, Vulture, 4 June 2026
In the 1990s, the soft drink company ran a promotion and a Super Bowl commercial that featured the Harrier as a prize for accumulating 7 million points by drinking Pepsi products.
—Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 4 June 2026
Gradually adding more fiber and drinking enough water can help the digestive system adjust more comfortably.
—Brianna Tobritzhofer, Health, 4 June 2026
The explanation the public was given was that Officer John O’Keefe’s girlfriend, Karen Read, hit him with her SUV after a night out drinking with friends.
—James Mercadante, Entertainment Weekly, 4 June 2026
After the kids were drinking at the party some of them could be seen driving away from the house.
—Thomas Lake, AJC.com, 4 June 2026
But Cutwaters have become so notorious for causing accidental blackouts that drinking an entire four-pack has become its own social-media challenge.
—Nicholas Florko, The Atlantic, 3 June 2026
Albert is still going to try to get to that goal anyway in hopes of drinking each country's beer as they get eliminated from the tournament.
—Chilekasi Adele, CBS News, 3 June 2026
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
Brian Moylan, Vulture, 4 June 2026
In the 1990s, the soft drink company ran a promotion and a Super Bowl commercial that featured the Harrier as a prize for accumulating 7 million points by drinking Pepsi products.
—Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 4 June 2026
Gradually adding more fiber and drinking enough water can help the digestive system adjust more comfortably.
—Brianna Tobritzhofer, Health, 4 June 2026
The explanation the public was given was that Officer John O’Keefe’s girlfriend, Karen Read, hit him with her SUV after a night out drinking with friends.
—James Mercadante, Entertainment Weekly, 4 June 2026
After the kids were drinking at the party some of them could be seen driving away from the house.
—Thomas Lake, AJC.com, 4 June 2026
But Cutwaters have become so notorious for causing accidental blackouts that drinking an entire four-pack has become its own social-media challenge.
—Nicholas Florko, The Atlantic, 3 June 2026
Albert is still going to try to get to that goal anyway in hopes of drinking each country's beer as they get eliminated from the tournament.
—Chilekasi Adele, CBS News, 3 June 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for drinking
Verb
-
After sipping on drink after drink, our testers selected seven sips that bubbled up above the rest.—
Sonal Dutt,
PEOPLE,
3 June 2026
-
The Princess of Wales has been seen sipping bubbly on the sidelines of Prince William’s polo matches.—
Mathilde Engelmann,
Vanity Fair,
2 June 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
-
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
-
In this, the mechanophore bonds selectively break under force, absorbing energy while keeping the surrounding area stable.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
3 June 2026
-
Dravecky is talented and confident on the puck, absorbing pressure well and completely unafraid to try things.—
Scott Wheeler,
New York Times,
3 June 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
-
One very rare risk is Naegleria fowleri, which can infect people when contaminated warm freshwater enters the nose—not from swallowing water.—
Mira Miller,
Verywell Health,
1 June 2026
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Avoid swallowing water or getting it up your nose while swimming to lower your risk of giardia and other waterborne parasites.—
Justin Laube,
EverydayHealth.com,
1 June 2026
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.—
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 9 Jun. 2026.
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