gallivanting 1 of 2

adjective

variants also galavanting
as in nomadic
traveling from place to place the gallivanting entertainers stayed in town for a few days, then moved on

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

gallivanting

2 of 2

verb

variants also galavanting
present participle of gallivant
as in wandering
to move about from place to place aimlessly gallivanted about the country before returning to school in the fall

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 gallivanting
Verb
The Orlando Sentinel’s Jeff Schweers found Ingoglia has been gallivanting around the state to see the Miami Dolphins, Tampa Bay Lightning, Daytona 500 and even a boxing match, with taxpayers helping cover his transportation. — Scott Maxwell, Sun Sentinel, 28 May 2026 Imagine if David Rose and Patrick Brewer went gallivanting off on a cozy fantasy adventure, only to discover a shape-shifting girl and humans who are the real monsters. — Literary Hub, 1 May 2026 Recent videos depict him chewing a toy bear and another bloodhound, Lorace, gallivanting in new boots. — ABC News, 5 Mar. 2026 The hotel seems to lend itself less to the idea of gallivanting around, but more to hunkering down and getting cosy. — Felicity Capon, TheWeek, 19 Feb. 2026 Meet Cash, an energetic dog with a deep love of toys and gallivanting around in water, his profile says. — Tj MacIas, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Sep. 2025 Returning principal cast Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Stanley Tucci and Emily Blunt were all spot gallivanting around famed city haunts, including the Met, which transformed its exterior to host a Gala-esque fete appearing in the sequel. — Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 4 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gallivanting
  1. nomadic
  2. wandering
  3. nomad
  4. roaming
  5. strolling
Adjective
  • Visit generations-old nomadic families and experience one of the world’s last great wildernesses in the Gobi Desert.
    — Roger Sands, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026
  • The latest edition of Manifesta, the nomadic European biennial, is on view until October 4 this year, examining the legacy of post-war religious buildings.
    — News Desk, Artforum, 6 July 2026
Definition of nomadic
Verb
  • The fishing village has become the latest tourist destination to introduce a fine for anyone found wandering its streets bare-chested or in swimwear.
    — Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 11 July 2026
  • Ángel Jesús Romero Audivet’s family has spent days wandering among the injured and the dead left behind by the earthquakes in Venezuela.
    — Sonia Osorio, Miami Herald, 9 July 2026
Definition of wandering
Adjective
  • Dinners take place in traditional nomad tents around the communal fire pit, and range from steaming hot pots with yak meat, mushrooms and tofu to haute-Tibetan tasting menus with wild vegetables in corn foam, tsampa grissini, and lamb shoulder with yak yogurt glaze and salsa verde.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Apr. 2026
  • New this season are nomad-style cooking workshops, starlit movies for younger campers, and sunrise hawk walks.
    — Katharina Kotrba, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
Definition of nomad
Verb
  • Yes, the likes of Julio Torres and Andrew Scott were casually roaming about, but even more typical was the sight of friends throughout the venue unexpectedly running into one another.
    — Tom Smyth, Vulture, 14 July 2026
  • This is because sandboxes can become infected with fecal microbes and parasites from wild and domesticated animals—including millions of free-roaming cats.
    — Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 13 July 2026
Definition of roaming
Verb
  • These might be mineral water showers or baths, cold-water enemas, or just drinking 3 glasses of stinky, sulfurous spring water daily before breakfast, while strolling and engaging in pleasant conversation on a landscaped promenade.
    — Veronique Greenwood, Time, 9 July 2026
  • Here’s how to spend a day strolling, dining, and taking it as slowly as the locals do.
    — Adam Erace, Travel + Leisure, 7 July 2026
Definition of strolling

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Cite this Entry

“Gallivanting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gallivanting. Accessed 15 Jul. 2026.

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