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
Distilled water is often used for more than just drinking.
—
Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 15 Jan. 2026
Charles has visited every continent on Earth, drinking rancid yak butter tea in Lhasa, snorkeling with sea lions in the Galapagos and even climbing an iceberg in Antarctica.
—Charles Q. Choi, Space.com, 14 Jan. 2026
But there are plenty of benefits of not drinking too.
—Lisa Shames, Chicago Tribune, 14 Jan. 2026
Glou-glou is an easy-drinking wine that’s light, fun and highly fruity.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 13 Jan. 2026
Americans are drinking less than ever—and a growing share are teetotalers.
—The Week Us, TheWeek, 13 Jan. 2026
The continuum of problem drinking There aren’t just two types of drinkers –– those who have a problem and those who don’t have to worry about it, Dick said.
—Madeline Holcombe, CNN Money, 9 Jan. 2026
In certain situations, drinking lemon water may cause discomfort or may not be recommended.
—Merve Ceylan, Health, 8 Jan. 2026
Not drinking entirely can seem insurmountable, so taking small steps to drink less by shifting behaviors like having fewer drinks or swapping in some mocktails is helpful.
—Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 8 Jan. 2026
Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 15 Jan. 2026
Charles has visited every continent on Earth, drinking rancid yak butter tea in Lhasa, snorkeling with sea lions in the Galapagos and even climbing an iceberg in Antarctica.
—Charles Q. Choi, Space.com, 14 Jan. 2026
But there are plenty of benefits of not drinking too.
—Lisa Shames, Chicago Tribune, 14 Jan. 2026
Glou-glou is an easy-drinking wine that’s light, fun and highly fruity.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 13 Jan. 2026
Americans are drinking less than ever—and a growing share are teetotalers.
—The Week Us, TheWeek, 13 Jan. 2026
The continuum of problem drinking There aren’t just two types of drinkers –– those who have a problem and those who don’t have to worry about it, Dick said.
—Madeline Holcombe, CNN Money, 9 Jan. 2026
In certain situations, drinking lemon water may cause discomfort or may not be recommended.
—Merve Ceylan, Health, 8 Jan. 2026
Not drinking entirely can seem insurmountable, so taking small steps to drink less by shifting behaviors like having fewer drinks or swapping in some mocktails is helpful.
—Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 8 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for drinking
Verb
-
And if appetite changes drastically, sipping on savory broth can be much more appealing than forcing down a heavy meal.—
Lauren Manaker,
SELF,
14 Jan. 2026
-
This week, try sipping on these nourishing refreshments.—
Jenna Anderson,
Health,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
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
-
Vionic Orinda Ballet Flats Podiatrist-approved and Oprah-loved, these Vionic Orinda ballet flats feature a square-toe front, premium leather upper, a contoured footbed for arch support, and shock-absorbing cushioning for the ultimate all-day comfort.—
Alyssa Morin,
InStyle,
16 Jan. 2026
-
Fabrics that aren't made for harsh weather conditions, especially cotton and linen, are prone to absorbing moisture, causing mold, mildew, and water stains.—
Claire Hoppe Norgaard,
Better Homes & Gardens,
15 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The cayenne pepper lingers on the tongue for a full minute after gulping the shot down.—
April Benshosan,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
5 Dec. 2025
-
One night Icarius got all his friends together for a wine-tasting party that quickly got out of hand and turned into a wine-gulping party.—
Mike Lynch,
Twin Cities,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Any muscles used for movement — including those involved in speaking, chewing, swallowing, seeing, blinking, breathing and walking — can be affected.—
Desiree Anello,
PEOPLE,
10 Jan. 2026
-
To save humankind, a geophysicist living with early-onset Alzheimer’s is recruited to investigate the vast void swallowing the oceans.—
Rafa Sales Ross,
Variety,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Watch parties at pubs, breweries, and places of imbibing across North America will be tuned in for the draw.—
Lucia I Suarez Sang,
CBS News,
5 Dec. 2025
-
Millennials and Gen Xers saw a 14-point fall in the last year alone, with just 56 percent of them now imbibing.—
Jeremy Repanich,
Robb Report,
15 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Drinking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drinking. Accessed 19 Jan. 2026.
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