Thesaurus results for DRUMS

drums 1 of 2

noun

plural of drum

as in barrels

a metal container in the shape of a cylinder an oil drum

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drums

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of drum

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

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 drums

Noun

Each begins with drums pounding out a rhythm, often featuring a teetering syncopation, while more voices add their own frayed melodies. — Vanessa Ague, Pitchfork, 29 Oct. 2026 This statement also permeates the work of rapper Alkoy, who on Valle Chakal Ki sampled idiosyncratic records from Salta, foregrounding the handmade drums and dramatic guitars that boom in every plaza. — Richard Villegas, Rolling Stone, 25 Oct. 2026 The drums don’t get the lifelike feel from the buds' higher playback quality; cymbals in particular lack sizzle. — Mark Knapp, PC Magazine, 24 Oct. 2026 On Tuesday evening, protesters gathered outside the City Council chambers, beating drums and chanting through a microphone as council members finished a discussion on homelessness. — Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 22 Oct. 2026 Investigators have also removed drums containing an oily, sludge-like material from the property and have investigated the home for signs of wet cremation, when a mix of chemicals are used to break down human remains. — Joe Holden, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026 Dennery segment is a unique sound; the way the drums are aligned is what makes the song, because [everything else] is so sparse. — Kyle Denis, Billboard, 20 Oct. 2026 An hour before a ball was even kicked on Sunday afternoon, the beating of drums and chanting from the River Guard supporters group could be heard loud and clear from the locker rooms at the Boas Soccer Complex. — Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 17 Oct. 2026 On Dalporto’s watch, Guitar Center has leaned into relatively new, faster-growing areas like DJ equipment, keyboards, drums, and recording studio gear. — Phil Wahba, Fortune, 10 Oct. 2026

Verb

The franchise’s iconic theme song is starting to play, the loud warrior drums about to give way to that ubiquitous melody. — Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 20 Aug. 2026 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

As Tuesday’s election barrels toward them, Becerra and Hilton traded barbs and barnstormed California in a relatively sedate race to succeed Democrat Gavin Newsom, who is wrapping up his final term as governor and considering a run for president.

— Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 2026
Master distiller Owen Martin selected rye whiskeys aged between eight and 11 years, and finished some of them for 15 to 23 months in peach brandy barrels, and some of which for six to 12 months in toasted oak.

— Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 1 Nov. 2026

Definition of barrels

Noun

Thanks in part to that retirement party, Sacramento library patrons can check out hundreds of different pans, muffin tins and cookie cutters from the Shari Nichelini Cake Pan Library.

— Anne Ewbank, Sacbee.com, 21 Oct. 2026
Its counters are crowded with plants and flowers in various states of decay, stacks of plates, fruit and Venezuelan snacks like tins of Pirulin cookies, all styled like a Dutch still life.

— Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026