1
as in slug
a lazy person
those drones just lie around while we do all the work
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in laborer
a person who does very hard or dull work
after lunch my fellow drones and I shuffle back to our cubicles
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in hum
a monotonous sound like that of an insect in motion
heard the drone of an airplane overhead
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to hum
to fly, turn, or move rapidly with a fluttering or vibratory sound
the sound of droning bees all around us
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in to lazy
to spend time doing nothing
instead of getting a job, he preferred to drone and live off his parents
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of drone
The Editors, National Review, 8 May 2025
The drones can fly up to 1.5 miles from the docking stations at speeds of up to 50 miles per hour.
—Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 May 2025
Asia London Palomba, Travel + Leisure, 3 July 2024
That quality is maintained first and foremost by a desolate whistling-wind sound effect in the background of all the scenes, along with a sustained droning musical score.
—Ben Coxworth, New Atlas, 14 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for drone
Noun
The terrorist groups’ frantic missile attacks on Israel may be less a show of strength than a sign of weakness, even if some of those missiles and drones have evaded Israeli air defenses and landed in unnerving proximity to targets of interest.
—The Editors, National Review, 8 May 2025
The drones can fly up to 1.5 miles from the docking stations at speeds of up to 50 miles per hour.
—Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 May 2025
Verb
Want to drone out the rumbling of airplane jet engines or the chatter on trains?
—Asia London Palomba, Travel + Leisure, 3 July 2024
That quality is maintained first and foremost by a desolate whistling-wind sound effect in the background of all the scenes, along with a sustained droning musical score.
—Ben Coxworth, New Atlas, 14 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for drone
Recent Examples of Synonyms for drone
Verb
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Think mountain towns that hum in winter and hibernate in summer (hello, ski resorts turned hiking paradises).—
Jordi Lippe-McGraw,
Forbes.com,
19 May 2025
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Because the vagus nerve runs past the vocal cords, there’s some thought that humming could stimulate the vagus nerve (and therefore parasympathetic nervous system), which might offer calming effects, says Gordon-Elliott.—
Caroline C. Boyle,
USA Today,
18 May 2025
Verb
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The implication that Kanan himself could have killed his own mother has people buzzing.—
Ronda Racha Penrice,
HollywoodReporter,
16 May 2025
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In more congested games, Wharton looks to move the ball upfield with short, sharp passes up to his attacking team-mates, buzzing around the centre and threading them between the gaps in the opposition midfield.—
Thom Harris,
New York Times,
15 May 2025
Verb
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Expect loafers, sandals, and football boots, all designed to evoke the spirit of travel—whether that’s lounging poolside or exploring city streets.—
Karissa Mitchell,
Essence,
9 May 2025
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Hollies No one wants to run into a spiky holly bush while lounging in a bathing suit.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
7 May 2025
Verb
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Long-time nemesis Brad Marchand scored the winner for the Panthers on a twisted wrister that banked off Rielly before zipping past goalie Joseph Woll.—
Steve Silverman,
Forbes.com,
12 May 2025
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Christopher Gayton was just outside his South Jamaica home when a driver zipping east on Linden Blvd. slammed into him near 166th St. at about 8:45 p.m. Thursday and kept going, cops said.—
Emma Seiwell,
New York Daily News,
30 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Churn the Ice Cream: Once chilled, pour the mixture into your ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer’s instructions (typically 20-25 minutes).—
Matt Rozo,
Mercury News,
12 May 2025
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Those beans are soaked overnight before being cooked and blended, placed on trays to chill for another 24 hours or so before other ingredients are added.—
Andrew Watman,
Forbes.com,
12 May 2025
Verb
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And while humans tend to veg out on the couch, canines typically only watch for short periods.—
Liz O'Connell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 May 2025
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Making the choice to be social is especially difficult at the end of an exhausting day when your impulse may be to veg out on the couch.—
Allie Volpe,
Vox,
7 Dec. 2018
Verb
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In March, steelmaker Cleveland-Cliffs idled its Dearborn operations, laying off 600, due to tariffs.—
Jamie L. LaReau,
USA Today,
7 May 2025
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Stellantis has stopped making Chrysler minivans and Dodge muscle cars in Windsor, Ontario, for two weeks, idling about 3,200 of its employees.—
Ian Austen,
New York Times,
12 Apr. 2025
Verb
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It is now applied to anyone who has not visited the shower trailer and is desperately trying to bum a cig.—
Amanda Petrusich,
New Yorker,
14 Apr. 2025
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Grant invites Dina on the one-on-one, leaving the rest of the women feeling like this: Even though they’re bummed, the women keep their comments positive.—
Kristen Baldwin,
EW.com,
18 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Drone.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drone. Accessed 22 May. 2025.
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