as in taps
to strike or cause to strike lightly and usually rhythmically
absentmindedly drumming his fingers on the table
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of drums
Nick Lunemann,
CBS News,
22 June 2026
Marcéo Martinez played drums on the band’s 1995 debut, Personal Best, then was replaced by Melissa York for 1996’s Captain My Captain.
—
Walden Green,
Pitchfork,
22 June 2026
By late Saturday afternoon, indie-rock stalwarts the Slip took the Echo Stage with Joe Russo on drums in place of Andrew Barr, who was unable to make the set.
—
Garret K. Woodward,
Rolling Stone,
22 June 2026
Stamey recently found a rough mix featuring Alex Chilton on drums and guitar that was recorded in the ’70s.
—
David Harris,
SPIN,
22 June 2026
There is a dedicated, high-impedance guitar/bass input as well as two stereo ¼-inch inputs for keyboards or electronic drums.
—
Mark Sparrow,
Forbes.com,
21 June 2026
Some fans brought in drums and played ‘em in the far reaches of the upper decks, with the rhythmic sound never stopping while the ball was on the pitch.
—
David Close,
CNN Money,
20 June 2026
The yin and yang found in 21 Savage’s menacing whispers over the bass and drums, derivative of Tay Keith’s style, and his stark threats over Metro Boomin’s familiar keys create atmospheric success.
—
Demicia Inman,
VIBE.com,
20 June 2026
There are families, elderly people, young people, children in strollers, a soundtrack of whistles and drums.
—
Alessia Arcolaci,
Vanity Fair,
16 June 2026
Randy McMullen,
Mercury News,
8 Jan. 2026
Instead of another room with a priest and young woman growling on the bed, the exorcisms in The Wailing are accompanied by chanting crowds, firepits, and drums beating as a great spectacle is made of the ritual.
—
Michael Lee Simpson,
Entertainment Weekly,
29 Oct. 2025
The video cuts to Camila, who reads the report outloud as Matthew drums on the bongo and offers his commentary on the report.
—
Saman Shafiq,
USA Today,
24 Oct. 2025
Some of the pressure on federal lawmakers is also shifting to state-level leaders to fill the gaps as the shutdown drums on.
—
Claire Heddles,
Miami Herald,
24 Oct. 2025
These cues told the robot which drums to strike and when.
—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
8 Aug. 2025
Noun
The group meets every Thursday in a basement, where band members work on vocals, drums, guitars and performance.
—
Nick Lunemann,
CBS News,
22 June 2026
Marcéo Martinez played drums on the band’s 1995 debut, Personal Best, then was replaced by Melissa York for 1996’s Captain My Captain.
—
Walden Green,
Pitchfork,
22 June 2026
By late Saturday afternoon, indie-rock stalwarts the Slip took the Echo Stage with Joe Russo on drums in place of Andrew Barr, who was unable to make the set.
—
Garret K. Woodward,
Rolling Stone,
22 June 2026
Stamey recently found a rough mix featuring Alex Chilton on drums and guitar that was recorded in the ’70s.
—
David Harris,
SPIN,
22 June 2026
There is a dedicated, high-impedance guitar/bass input as well as two stereo ¼-inch inputs for keyboards or electronic drums.
—
Mark Sparrow,
Forbes.com,
21 June 2026
Some fans brought in drums and played ‘em in the far reaches of the upper decks, with the rhythmic sound never stopping while the ball was on the pitch.
—
David Close,
CNN Money,
20 June 2026
The yin and yang found in 21 Savage’s menacing whispers over the bass and drums, derivative of Tay Keith’s style, and his stark threats over Metro Boomin’s familiar keys create atmospheric success.
—
Demicia Inman,
VIBE.com,
20 June 2026
There are families, elderly people, young people, children in strollers, a soundtrack of whistles and drums.
—
Alessia Arcolaci,
Vanity Fair,
16 June 2026
Verb
Krieger and Densmore, the two surviving members of The Doors, are the backbone of the video, revisiting the signature guitar and drums parts more than a half-century after they were originally laid to wax.
—
Randy McMullen,
Mercury News,
8 Jan. 2026
Instead of another room with a priest and young woman growling on the bed, the exorcisms in The Wailing are accompanied by chanting crowds, firepits, and drums beating as a great spectacle is made of the ritual.
—
Michael Lee Simpson,
Entertainment Weekly,
29 Oct. 2025
The video cuts to Camila, who reads the report outloud as Matthew drums on the bongo and offers his commentary on the report.
—
Saman Shafiq,
USA Today,
24 Oct. 2025
Some of the pressure on federal lawmakers is also shifting to state-level leaders to fill the gaps as the shutdown drums on.
—
Claire Heddles,
Miami Herald,
24 Oct. 2025
These cues told the robot which drums to strike and when.
—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
8 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for drums
Noun
-
Fast or gradual, the IEA expects the production ramp-up will generate a global oil surplus of about 5 million barrels of supply per day next year.
-
The combination covered a significant amount of the net market loss, as much as 75% of the barrels that the Gulf exporters couldn’t supply.
Verb
-
The game’s appeal also taps into something much older than any trend.
-
The appeal also taps into something more universal.
Noun
-
Vines have grown through the fence and barbed wire surrounding a tall art deco building in this city’s downtown, and cigarette holders and empty food tins litter the tall weeds.
-
The three infused olive oils -- Garlic, Spicy Red Pepper and Green Goddess -- are packaged in tins, made with only real ingredients to elevate any dish.
Cite this Entry
“Drums.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drums. Accessed 30 Jun. 2026.
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