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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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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
-
That’s the prayerful explanation for the nonsense that spouted this week from the leaders of a football conference that hopes to grow up and be the Big Ten someday.—
Joe Rexrode,
New York Times,
29 May 2026
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Let’s see if the Pomona Unified School District, which pays thousands of dollars to support its schools’ athletic program, is going to act and stop this nonsense.—
Eric Sondheimer,
Los Angeles Times,
29 May 2026
Noun
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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
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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
-
In the other room, Kayda is entertaining Bryce and Zach, who are openly drooling, and the scene could not look more like Challengers if Zendaya were playing Kayda.—
Kathleen Walsh,
Vulture,
4 June 2026
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This plant, also known as rose bay, may also cause drooling, abdominal pain, depression, colic and even death, according to the ASPCA.—
Amy DeYoung,
USA Today,
3 June 2026
Verb
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As Paula finally reaches Detective Gonzalez and excitedly chatters about her wire transfer ruse, the wry officer isn’t amused.—
Erin Qualey,
Vulture,
29 May 2026
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Wednesday evening, dozens crowded into the community room of a local church, chattering in Spanish and English in the fading light of day as part of a forum on the upcoming ICE facility.—
Luis Melecio-Zambrano,
Mercury News,
28 May 2026
Noun
-
The Paris police prefecture said smaller groups caused disturbances in various locations, with some vandalizing shops and setting fires to garbage and self-service bicycles in the streets.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
31 May 2026
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Protesters were later seen pelting ICE vehicles with kitchen towels and trash as garbage littered the ground.—
Gloria Pazmino,
CNN Money,
30 May 2026
Noun
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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
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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
-
Angered by the demonstration, Keenan first screamed at the protesters and then spit in the face of one.—
Jason Green,
Mercury News,
29 May 2026
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In my experience, ChatGPT is still a pretty bad writer and can’t hack the existential risk involved in spitting out a compelling thesis.—
Jay Caspian Kang,
New Yorker,
26 May 2026
Verb
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Nice to be around, to work with, nice to chat with between scenes, the whole picture.—
Alessandra Codinha,
InStyle,
3 June 2026
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The fest’s Storyteller Series will highlight Finneas O’Connell chatting with composer Anthony Willis and Este Haim with writer/director Will Gluck.—
Melissa Ruggieri,
USA Today,
3 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Drivel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drivel. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.
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