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
Marla Jo Fisher, Oc Register, 25 June 2025
Supposedly inspired by an improv exercise, the scene manages to say more about man’s relationship to power than any of the drivel that spills out of Cesar Catalina’s Emersonian mind.
—Vulture Staff, Vulture, 26 Dec. 2024
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
But who’s listening to such boring drivel, when the screen is showing a laughing, good-looking woman throwing a birthday party for her dog, complete with doggie birthday cake and balloons?
—Marla Jo Fisher, Oc Register, 25 June 2025
Supposedly inspired by an improv exercise, the scene manages to say more about man’s relationship to power than any of the drivel that spills out of Cesar Catalina’s Emersonian mind.
—Vulture Staff, Vulture, 26 Dec. 2024
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 rule is nonsense — especially with two applicants who pretty clearly spend most of their time in Tallahassee, and two who work in Lakeland.—
Orlando Sentinel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
9 Jan. 2026
-
But the residency rule is nonsense.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
6 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Now the babble about them is back.—
DP Opinion,
Denver Post,
19 Oct. 2025
-
Mesopotamian corpses, stirred by the babble of trade, wander the halls wrapped in shrouds of extravagant malice.—
David Velasco,
Harpers Magazine,
18 Dec. 2023
Verb
-
Duff wrote alongside a drooling-face emoji.—
Allison DeGrushe,
Entertainment Weekly,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Line play enthusiasts would drool for 60 minutes.—
David Ubben,
New York Times,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Now Carmelo can be seen at every Syracuse game, chattering constantly to Kiyan and his teammates.—
Lindsay Schnell,
New York Times,
6 Jan. 2026
-
Insects chatter in the trees in waves and pulses in the heat.—
David Searcy,
Harpers Magazine,
30 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
Installed on the former garbage dump bounded by Sunset, Lewis, Western and Glen Flora avenues, there are now 20,000 solar panels.—
Charles Selle,
Chicago Tribune,
12 Jan. 2026
-
Rescuers retrieved eight people alive and were searching for the missing still trapped after a huge mound of garbage and debris collapsed on them in the village of Binaliw in Cebu city, police said.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Trump prattles on about the economy while the actors freeze behind him in their ancient Galilee garb.—
Rosa Escandon,
Forbes.com,
13 Apr. 2025
-
She was getting winded on our walk, and her prattle was broken up by heavy breaths.—
Joshua Cohen,
The New Yorker,
13 Oct. 2024
Verb
-
On its fringes, volcanic islands gurgle and spit, their fertile slopes ablaze with wildflowers, capers, and Malvasia grapes.—
Rosalyn Wikeley,
Condé Nast Traveler,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Picked him up when the system spit him out.—
Kevin Sherrington,
Dallas Morning News,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Two other women moved quietly beside me, nobody chatting, all of us seemingly running on fumes.—
Jackie Snow,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Jan. 2026
-
The president chatted with assembly line workers as well as the automaker’s executive chairman, Bill Ford, a descendent of Henry Ford.—
Fortune,
Fortune,
14 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Drivel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drivel. Accessed 16 Jan. 2026.
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