Synonyms of meander

meander 1 of 2

verb

as in to wander

to move about from place to place aimlessly

theatergoers meandering around the lobby waiting for the play to start

Synonyms & Similar Words

• wander
• roam
• stroll
• drift
• cruise
• float
• ramble
• rove
• traipse
• gallivant
• range
• saunter
• knock (about)
• amble
• galavant
• mooch
• gad (about)
• bat
• maunder
• dawdle
• kick around
• mope
• straggle
• stray
• mill (about or around)
• vagabond
• gypsy
• hobo
• tramp

meander

2 of 2

noun

as in tangle

Related Words

• tangle
• snarl
• web
• labyrinth
• maze
• warren
• catacomb
• knot
• rabbit warren
• cat's cradle
• entanglement
• jungle
• snare
• entrapment
• trap
• quagmire

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb meander contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of meander are ramble, roam, rove, traipse, and wander. While all these words mean "to go about from place to place usually without a plan or definite purpose," meander implies a winding or intricate course suggestive of aimless or listless wandering.

the river meanders for miles through rich farmland

When would ramble be a good substitute for meander?

The words ramble and meander can be used in similar contexts, but ramble stresses carelessness and indifference to one's course or objective.

the speaker rambled on without ever coming to the point

When might roam be a better fit than meander?

The meanings of roam and meander largely overlap; however, roam suggests wandering about freely and often far afield.

liked to roam through the woods

When can rove be used instead of meander?

While in some cases nearly identical to meander, rove suggests vigorous and sometimes purposeful roaming.

armed brigands roved over the countryside

When is traipse a more appropriate choice than meander?

Although the words traipse and meander have much in common, traipse implies a course that is erratic but may sometimes be purposeful.

traipsed all over town looking for the right dress

When is it sensible to use wander instead of meander?

The synonyms wander and meander are sometimes interchangeable, but wander implies an absence of or an indifference to a fixed course.

fond of wandering about the square just watching the people

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of meander

Noun

The friends meander through leafy suburban life, charting a story about Judo, ancient Rome, first loves and the expansion of the Universe. —Max Goldbart, Deadline, 29 Aug. 2025

Villa’s most recent game was the meandering 1-0 away defeat against Brentford on Saturday. —Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 27 Aug. 2025

This is rural Richland Parish, once a floodplain tangled with meandering bayous and wild canebrake where black bears still wander and a quarter of the 20,000 residents live below the poverty line. —Delaney Nolan, Fortune, 24 Aug. 2025

As is Lee’s wont, the film meanders through some vivid, if unnecessary subplots. —Tim Grierson, Vulture, 16 Aug. 2025

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