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
-
And Bianco’s rhetoric about forcing changes in state law enforcement — especially on immigration — without the cooperation of Democratic supermajorities in the Legislature is authoritarian nonsense.—
U T Editorial Board,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 May 2026
-
There’s still all this nonsense about the temptation of the female body, and the need for nuns to shield themselves from prying eyes.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 May 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
-
Surrounded by a gaggle of microphones, cameras and other recording devices, Caleb Wilson offered up a nugget that probably left fans of North Carolina’s NBA team drooling.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
14 May 2026
-
The dog, Russ, drowsed on the floor at his owner’s feet, drooling onto the tile.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 May 2026
Verb
-
The thickening afternoon light gave the square an air of drama, like a movie set readied for action, but there was no one around to cast as extras; chattering tourists fill it only during the brief summer high season.—
Kevin West,
Travel + Leisure,
8 May 2026
-
There’s an amulet (one of those glowing doohickeys the fate of the cosmos hangs on), and your heart may sink every time someone starts chattering about it.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
6 May 2026
Noun
-
Secure garbage and recycling bags.—
Barbara Bellesi Zito,
Southern Living,
8 May 2026
-
Investigators said nearly 6,500 pets were promised a proper burial by Vereb, but instead their bodies were dumped in landfills or left in leaking garbage bags.—
Meghan Schiller,
CBS News,
8 May 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
-
This week, Charli XCX ditches the dancefloor on a fuzzy rock song, J Balvin and Ryan Castro make their case for song of the summer with an aerobic track, and Little Simz spits atop a trap beat, once again solidifying her rap icon status.—
Rolling Stone,
Rolling Stone,
8 May 2026
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Their earliest and biggest target has been Dax, a 32-year-old janitor-turned-rapper from Canada who spits overwrought motivational lyrics over rudimentary beats.—
Kieran Press-Reynolds,
Pitchfork,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
Afterward, Keller stopped to chat with Alvarado at a sandwich shop.—
Rachel Monroe,
New Yorker,
14 May 2026
-
Incognito chat mode has safety features to prevent the chatbot from answering questions about harmful topics, Cathcart said.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
13 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Drivel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drivel. Accessed 16 May. 2026.
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