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

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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

About a ton of smoldering chemicals in big drums had released chlorine-compound fumes. — Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 15 July 2026 Several years after forming, Morbid Angel recorded their first-ever album, Abominations of Desolation, with Browning on lead vocals and drums. — Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 14 July 2026 There was so much color, all these beautiful headdresses, and the male dancers were stomping their legs to mimic the drums. — Lale Arikoglu, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 July 2026 The only thing missing was a set of drums, and a place to bang on them without bothering anyone. — Simon Vozick-Levinson, Rolling Stone, 9 July 2026 The air inside his temple in Dharamshala thickens with the sharp, medicinal sting of burning juniper and the low, rhythmic thrum of drums and horns. — Charlie Campbell, Time, 9 July 2026 The current Journey lineup features Cain (keyboards, guitar, backing vocals), Schon (lead guitar), Arnel Pineda (lead vocals), Deen Castronovo (drums, vocals), Jason Derlatka (keyboards, vocals) and Todd Jensen (bass, vocals). — Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 9 July 2026 Three 55-gallon drums and other debris were buried underground. — Sacbee.com, 8 July 2026 Walmart confirmed guests would not receive their very own industrial drums of ranch dressing as a souvenir. — Ramishah Maruf, CNN Money, 8 July 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

When Cox-Rosen and I resumed traffic duties Tuesday morning, the work barrels were still in place as rain fell.

— Doug Turnbull, AJC.com, 19 July 2026
The island requires around 100,000 barrels of oil per day for its power stations and infrastructure to function; since January, episodic shipments have only given short-term relief.

— The Week UK, TheWeek, 19 July 2026

Definition of barrels

Verb

Just when things were drifting towards extra-time, Senne Lammens drops a clanger in the Belgium goal and Mikel Merino taps in from close range to give Spain a 2-1 lead.

— Aleks Klosok, CNN Money, 10 July 2026
Kandi Burruss of The Real Housewives of Atlanta makes a cameo in the show’s final season to play Miss Jay, an investor Mavis taps to help fund a new blazer design.

— Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 6 July 2026

Definition of taps

Noun

Cylindrical tins are also handy for storing snacks like chips, nuts, or popcorn.

— Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 1 July 2026
Large cans of jalapeños and taco sauce, tins of jumbo squid, sacks filled with varying flour types, jars of grape leaves, curry paste, pickled ginger, Japanese mayo, lychee in syrup, Mediterranean chocolate candies and a wide variety of ramen noodle packets were among the items on the shelves.

— Jenna Ebbers, Kansas City Star, 27 June 2026