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

Chappell Roan’s theatrical delivery rises alongside pounding drums and bright synths, transforming self-discovery into a full-room celebration. — Brittney Williams, Billboard, 23 Sep. 2026 The snacks spill from every aisle, tempting you with Ghost Pepper Potato Chips and two-bite cookies in plastic drums while you’re supposed to be finding the frozen broccoli. — Alex Beggs, Bon Appetit Magazine, 22 Sep. 2026 Powerful industrial presses compress the drums to dramatically reduce their volume and stabilize the contents. — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 18 Sep. 2026 Sid Vicious, six months before his debut as the Sex Pistols’ new bassist, was most assuredly a novice on the drums. — Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 18 Sep. 2026 As a bonus, to fully un-break the Heartbreakers’ circle, Lynch stepped aside from the drums for the final number to let lat his successor, Steve Ferrone, step in for the finale, and 21st-century utility man Scott Thurston popped in as well. — Chris Willman, Variety, 17 Sep. 2026 The latter included his father on the drums, and was released on Travis’ label DTA Records. — Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 14 Sep. 2026 Events include special guests and family members, 22 pairs of boots display, honor guards, the Pledge of Allegiance, the national anthem, towers in light, pipe & drums, name reading and the playing of taps. — The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore Sun, 8 Sep. 2026 The sound of bagpipes and drums echoed across the Alameda County Fairgrounds on Saturday as thousands gathered in full Scottish attire for the 160th Highland Gathering & Games. — Ray Chavez, Mercury News, 6 Sep. 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

To be fair, according to Freddie this is actually explicable, based on an apple wine recipe Booker used to make using apples, bourbon barrels, and cinnamon.

— Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 27 Sep. 2026
For the second mission, there are barrels stacked on two carts.

— Alice Burton, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of barrels

Verb

Alan does the table walkaround and taps Funeral Director Joe, who is ecstatic, and Pilot Tomica.

— Alice Burton, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2026
One of five new Loewe perfumes landing in September, Field Diary taps citrusy notes such as green mandarin and blood orange, paired with lychee, orange blossom and musk.

— Noor Lobad, Footwear News, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of taps

Noun

One of our editors likes to make these in mini-muffin tins for bite-size treats; just adjust cooking time accordingly.

— Ginger Crichton, Midwest Living, 6 Sep. 2026
Plus, sardines are often packed in tins with extra virgin olive oil, so you get added anti-inflammatory benefits.

— Marie Bladt, Vogue, 11 Aug. 2026