1
as in nonsense
language, behavior, or ideas that are absurd and contrary to good sense
that critic's reviews are nothing but self-important drivel
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in babble
unintelligible or meaningless talk
my roommate talks in her sleep, but it's just drivel
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
2
as in to chatter
to speak rapidly, inarticulately, and usually unintelligibly
he driveled on about his "distinguished" family for what seemed like hours
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of drivel
Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 28 Jan. 2026
High-profile right-wing accounts that previously served as yes-men for Musk—such as Ian Miles Cheong, a Malaysian who purportedly lives in the United Arab Emirates and posts incessant, racist drivel about American politics—have melted down over the platform’s decision to dox users.
—Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 24 Nov. 2025
Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 19 Dec. 2023
Gretchen Bender superimposes potent phrases or ideas onto television screens blaring out the usual stream of nonsense, drivel and enticement.
—Philip Kennicott, Washington Post, 6 Apr. 2023
See All Example Sentences for drivel
Noun
Many of the most popular sports pundits cast off analytics as superfluous nerd drivel.
—Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 28 Jan. 2026
High-profile right-wing accounts that previously served as yes-men for Musk—such as Ian Miles Cheong, a Malaysian who purportedly lives in the United Arab Emirates and posts incessant, racist drivel about American politics—have melted down over the platform’s decision to dox users.
—Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 24 Nov. 2025
Verb
Our campuses are a mess — citadels of conformism and drivel.
—Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 19 Dec. 2023
Gretchen Bender superimposes potent phrases or ideas onto television screens blaring out the usual stream of nonsense, drivel and enticement.
—Philip Kennicott, Washington Post, 6 Apr. 2023
See All Example Sentences for drivel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for drivel
Noun
-
The only way real barriers to non-factory service could be required to work on a ladder-frame gas-engine truck would be if the automaker intentionally loaded it with proprietary nonsense.—
Andrew P. Collins,
The Drive,
11 June 2026
-
Yet more arrant nonsense, coming from someone who has repeatedly been cited for spreading vaccine misinformation.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 June 2026
Noun
-
The film almost completely drops any and all scientific babble from the book in favor of character development, action sequences, and emotional gut punches.—
Matthew Razak,
Space.com,
23 Mar. 2026
-
Read a book and sip tea in front of the central fireplace, swim between the indoor and outdoor sections of the glimmering pool, and soak your aching quads in the hot tubs under the evergreens and aspens while listening to the peaceful babble of Gore Creek.—
Sarah Kuta,
Condé Nast Traveler,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
For Valentine's Day 2026, the retailer released a confetti glass icon candle that shoppers drooled over.—
Sophia Beams,
Better Homes & Gardens,
17 June 2026
-
Fighter Josh Hokit drooled at the weigh-in in front of the Lincoln Memorial.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
17 June 2026
Verb
-
The fights were slightly delayed because of inclement weather, and so we were treated, first, to a quartet of chattering analysts wearing natty, snug suits.—
Naomi Fry,
New Yorker,
15 June 2026
-
Vuvuzelas honked like a chorus of drunk geese, and spectators chattered excitedly.—
Ryan Lenora Brown,
NPR,
14 June 2026
Noun
-
Every campsite has a bear-resistant food locker, and visitors are being reminded to store food, garbage and other attractants properly.—
Spencer Wilson,
CBS News,
14 June 2026
-
While the Doral incinerator used to burn about half of the county’s daily trash supply, Miami-Dade is now using trucks and trains to send its garbage to landfills across Florida.—
Douglas Hanks
June 11,
Miami Herald,
11 June 2026
Noun
-
Some of the prattle can feel like treading water, a delaying tactic until the inevitable confrontation scene.—
Theater Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Apr. 2026
-
The bizarre reality of daily life in a Southeast Asian scam compound—the tactics, the tone, the mix of cruelty and upbeat corporate prattle—is revealed at an unprecedented level of resolution in a leak of documents to WIRED from a whistleblower inside one such sprawling fraud operation.—
Andy Greenberg,
Wired News,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
That's when LaPalme hit her in the face to prevent her from spitting again, a recording from the deputy's patrol camera showed.—
CBS Miami Team,
CBS News,
12 June 2026
-
In some ways, DOGE acted as an expedited revolving door, giving the young engineers brief, chaotic experience across multiple government agencies, before spitting them back into the Valley, which is chock-full of investors itching to get in on government-adjacent technology.—
Margaux MacColl,
Vanity Fair,
12 June 2026
Verb
-
If a team chat gets heated, pause to name your goal and request a clear next step.—
Tarot.com,
Chicago Tribune,
17 June 2026
-
Okay, but who showed Danielle the group chat?—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
17 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Drivel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drivel. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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