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
Sally Krutzig, Idaho Statesman, 24 Feb. 2026
The drums become more insistent, the harmonies stack higher, and suddenly all the movement has a direction.
—Precious Fondren, Pitchfork, 24 Feb. 2026
Museum, which includes a podcast studio, sound booths, and music rooms, where more than 100 guitars and historic drums are archived.
—Lynnette Nicholas, Parents, 20 Feb. 2026
Sometimes Belton would hop on stage, sit down behind the drums and jam with the students.
—Everett Eaton, jsonline.com, 20 Feb. 2026
Far away, the drums of battle sound.
—James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 18 Feb. 2026
Your memory will be a ray of light piercing the darkness that surrounds us right now as authoritarian drums beat loudly and threaten the civil rights of Americans.
—Elyssa Kaufman, CBS News, 17 Feb. 2026
Stadia builds its sound with the conventional guitars, drums and bass but also harp and violin.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 15 Feb. 2026
Composer and sound designer Christopher Kriz’s transitional music amplifies Hedda’s restless internal state with electric guitar and drums backed by a relentless, clock-like beat.
—Emily McClanathan, Chicago Tribune, 11 Feb. 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
Protesters made noise using drums, whistles and megaphones, and even were banging pots and pans together.
—Sally Krutzig, Idaho Statesman, 24 Feb. 2026
The drums become more insistent, the harmonies stack higher, and suddenly all the movement has a direction.
—Precious Fondren, Pitchfork, 24 Feb. 2026
Museum, which includes a podcast studio, sound booths, and music rooms, where more than 100 guitars and historic drums are archived.
—Lynnette Nicholas, Parents, 20 Feb. 2026
Sometimes Belton would hop on stage, sit down behind the drums and jam with the students.
—Everett Eaton, jsonline.com, 20 Feb. 2026
Far away, the drums of battle sound.
—James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 18 Feb. 2026
Your memory will be a ray of light piercing the darkness that surrounds us right now as authoritarian drums beat loudly and threaten the civil rights of Americans.
—Elyssa Kaufman, CBS News, 17 Feb. 2026
Stadia builds its sound with the conventional guitars, drums and bass but also harp and violin.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 15 Feb. 2026
Composer and sound designer Christopher Kriz’s transitional music amplifies Hedda’s restless internal state with electric guitar and drums backed by a relentless, clock-like beat.
—Emily McClanathan, Chicago Tribune, 11 Feb. 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
-
Due to the cost of glass at the time, the back bar bottles were made thick and sturdy, and usually ornate to display the whiskey, since it was often poured from the larger barrels for patrons.—
Melinda Salchert,
Southern Living,
26 Feb. 2026
-
In addition to the lesson in rain barrels, Swire Coca-Cola will be offering a chance to win prizes.—
Libby Smith,
CBS News,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Ahead, Vogue taps local experts for their recommendations on the best Palm Springs restaurants to book a table at right now.—
Nicole Kliest,
Vogue,
25 Feb. 2026
-
The Maryland rapper taps some of SoundCloud’s coolest producers for a full-length solo debut of atmospheric, cybernetic avant-trap.—
Olivier Lafontant,
Pitchfork,
25 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
For quick, single-serve portions, muffin tins or silicone cupcake molds work well.—
Alexandra Emanuelli,
Southern Living,
12 Feb. 2026
-
As my recycling bin fills with tins, my optimism rises, too.—
Hannah Coates,
Vogue,
10 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Drums.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drums. Accessed 3 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
