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
Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 3 Jan. 2026
When a spotlight cast their shadows against the screen, viewers could make out the vague silhouettes of drums, cymbals, and tambourines, merged to form what looked like a hybrid creature.
—Hung Duong, Artforum, 1 Jan. 2026
My hope is that Meadow not only remembers the tall ocean waves knocking us down to laughter, or the incredible sounds of the island drums, but also the feeling that her mama enjoys her company, slowing down with her, and showing her the world from a space of fullness and not depletion.
—Kareema Bee, Parents, 31 Dec. 2025
The former child star played an outspoken kid who sits in the back of the class, finding his musical prowess on the drums.
—Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Dec. 2025
Miller decided any shows in the wake of the record needed to be full-band experiences led by him from behind the drums.
—Josh Crutchmer, Rolling Stone, 28 Dec. 2025
The tower is made up of 18 marble drums carved with more than 2,000 figures, including soldiers, prisoners, gods and animals.
—CNN Money, 27 Dec. 2025
The impeccable production delivers a powerful blend rooted in the strength of banda music, yet enriched with a more acoustic, norteño touch, complete with accordion and drums.
—Sigal Ratner-Arias, Billboard, 26 Dec. 2025
Numerous supporters gathered behind the north goal and chanted, sang, danced, waved flags and banged drums for the better part of the match’s 90 minutes.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Nov. 2025
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
His band includes Temidayo Balogun on saxophone and talking drums, Zach Walgren on bass and Emmanuel Chidiebere on drums.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 3 Jan. 2026
When a spotlight cast their shadows against the screen, viewers could make out the vague silhouettes of drums, cymbals, and tambourines, merged to form what looked like a hybrid creature.
—Hung Duong, Artforum, 1 Jan. 2026
My hope is that Meadow not only remembers the tall ocean waves knocking us down to laughter, or the incredible sounds of the island drums, but also the feeling that her mama enjoys her company, slowing down with her, and showing her the world from a space of fullness and not depletion.
—Kareema Bee, Parents, 31 Dec. 2025
The former child star played an outspoken kid who sits in the back of the class, finding his musical prowess on the drums.
—Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Dec. 2025
Miller decided any shows in the wake of the record needed to be full-band experiences led by him from behind the drums.
—Josh Crutchmer, Rolling Stone, 28 Dec. 2025
The tower is made up of 18 marble drums carved with more than 2,000 figures, including soldiers, prisoners, gods and animals.
—CNN Money, 27 Dec. 2025
The impeccable production delivers a powerful blend rooted in the strength of banda music, yet enriched with a more acoustic, norteño touch, complete with accordion and drums.
—Sigal Ratner-Arias, Billboard, 26 Dec. 2025
Numerous supporters gathered behind the north goal and chanted, sang, danced, waved flags and banged drums for the better part of the match’s 90 minutes.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Nov. 2025
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
-
According to Sotheby’s, many of the bottles are private labels, single barrels, and vintage expressions, some of which are making their auction debut.—
Jonah Flicker,
Robb Report,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Meanwhile, in the last three months, Maduro’s government exported an average of 35,000 barrels a day to Cuba, approximately a quarter of the island’s total demand, according to Piñón.—
María Verza,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Think mid-century diner vibes, 70s flower power patterns, vintage advertisements, old-school movie posters, or anything that taps into collective nostalgia.—
Cori Sears,
Better Homes & Gardens,
6 Jan. 2026
-
Political without being didactic, the film taps into contemporary anxieties around immigration, power and resistance, delivering tension, spectacle and emotional weight in equal measure.—
Ana Gutierrez,
Austin American Statesman,
5 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Round out your gift by pairing the tins with a cute ceramic holder.—
Alaina Chou,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
6 Nov. 2025
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On the sweet side — wrapped bundt cakes, tins filled with dainty cookies as well as brownies, tarts, pies and beverages.—
David Moin,
Footwear News,
5 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Drums.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drums. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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