as in to tap
to strike or cause to strike lightly and usually rhythmically
absentmindedly drumming his fingers on the table
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of drum
Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 18 Oct. 2025
Snider’s cracking vocals are laid over simple drums and riffs closer to blues than folk.
—Josh Crutchmer, Rolling Stone, 17 Oct. 2025
Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 7 Oct. 2025
In his place, Rush have tapped German drummer and composer Anika Nilles, who previously drummed for late rock god Jeff Beck.
—Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 6 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for drum
Noun
While the dye likely won’t affect the metal components, the plastic agitator, drum, rim, and seal in your machine may no longer be white.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 18 Oct. 2025
Snider’s cracking vocals are laid over simple drums and riffs closer to blues than folk.
—Josh Crutchmer, Rolling Stone, 17 Oct. 2025
Verb
Joey Warnoker’s drumming, TLA’s mix, and Lenny Castro’s percussion all just sent it to the end-zone.
—Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 7 Oct. 2025
In his place, Rush have tapped German drummer and composer Anika Nilles, who previously drummed for late rock god Jeff Beck.
—Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 6 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for drum
Recent Examples of Synonyms for drum
Noun
-
Price contends the Jameson portion of the USGS report is outdate and inaccurate, pointing to a much more recent 2025 third-party review from Sproule ERCE energy consultants that estimates the Jameson basin could hold 9 billion net barrels of recoverable crude oil.—
Jordan Blum,
Fortune,
22 Oct. 2025
-
Orange construction barrels are seemingly everywhere.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Click or tap here to learn more.—
Victoria Moorwood,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
23 Oct. 2025
-
The twin sisters, 33, who were named ambassadors of the brand earlier this year, each created a namesake bag that taps into their particular aesthetics.—
Hedy Phillips,
PEOPLE,
22 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Barely caring that the fake-tin ceiling was peeling off in one corner and had to be shoved back up once or twice a week with a broomstick.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
21 Oct. 2025
-
Another was a black Chihuahua in a caviar tin.—
Liz O'Connell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
20 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
There are up to 20,000 rabid people raining down their emotions from all angles, a dozen sticks clattering, two dozen skates carving, all those burly bodies bumping into each other and banging into the boards, plus an endless stream of screaming and grunting and cursing.—
Mark Lazerus,
New York Times,
17 Oct. 2025
-
Vanderbilt played 13 minutes Wednesday before being removed midway through the second quarter with a left quadriceps contusion after banging his left knee with a Mavericks defender.—
Oc Register,
Oc Register,
16 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Drum.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drum. Accessed 24 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share