meander 1 of 2

meander

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noun

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

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 meander
Noun
On the Padres’ meandering stroll to the postseason, they were almost waylaid again by the walk. Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Sep. 2025 Down below, the meandering grounds are laced with mature trees and layered gardens that provide a feeling of expansiveness despite being in the heart of a huge city. Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 18 Sep. 2025 So the cats meander in and out of open doors. Jane Arraf, NPR, 17 Sep. 2025 Arranged in a labyrinthine formation, the works with their play on color and transparency created a meandering runway that contrasted beautifully against the dark and hard surfaces of the warehouse venue. Blue Carreon, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for meander
Recent Examples of Synonyms for meander
Verb
  • There’s the feeling that this is all just another day at the office, albeit one with enormous gladiators wandering around in the background.
    Richard Lawson, Rolling Stone, 1 Oct. 2025
  • Sandberg was there wandering around the clubhouse sopping wet from a mixture of champagne, beer and rain water along with other Cub greats, protected by a yellow rain slicker.
    Barry M. Bloom, Sportico.com, 1 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Millions of miles of flying feels like an adequate amount of time to observe travelers struggle with bulky items, search endlessly for a gadget in a tangle of monochromatic accessories, and look longingly at their seatmate who seems to have it all together.
    Carin Ryan, Travel + Leisure, 4 Oct. 2025
  • Whether the Northen Sea Route catches on depends on a tangle of factors.
    Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 3 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • One of the game's best sections – and one that probably plays really well in its VR counterpart – involves facehuggers and roaming around a hive unarmed while the Xenomorphs aren't a threat.
    Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 3 Oct. 2025
  • In addition to yards of open grassy areas for Pickles and Franklin to roam freely, there is a pool, sauna, pickleball court, outdoor kitchen, and lots of shaded or umbrella-covered seating.
    Lennie Omalza, Louisville Courier Journal, 2 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The result has been a seemingly endless run of East Washington Street roadwork and traffic snarls from Alabama Street downtown to I-465.
    Ryan Murphy, IndyStar, 25 Sep. 2025
  • There was talk of traffic snarls and strain on the power grid.
    Christopher Bonanos, Curbed, 24 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Swift and Styles set tongues wagging after they were spotted by paparazzi strolling together in November 2012, and things seemed even more heated after they were photographed sharing some New Year’s Eve smooches the following month.
    Lisa Respers France, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2025
  • At one point our conversation halts as Bailey gestures toward the window, where two men stroll past arm in arm.
    Olivia-Anne Cleary, Time, 30 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The app is available in English across 145 countries for all logged-in ChatGPT Free, Plus, and Pro accounts, on both web and mobile (iOS and Android).
    Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 7 Oct. 2025
  • Those included a successful 2023 case brought by a Colorado web designer who said having to create websites for same-sex weddings would violate her free speech rights.
    Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 7 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Rappelers dangle from the steel arch, thrill-seekers race across a zip line, and spectators cheer as colorful parachutes drift overhead.
    Taryn Shorr-Mckee, Travel + Leisure, 7 Oct. 2025
  • Margit and Bonnie drifted further into Pam’s orbit and decided not to speak to Catherine, which made the lunchroom newly problematic.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 7 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • What was supposed to be a quick stop turned into a labyrinth of family secrets and lies Tommy thought were long buried.
    Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Also, any excuse to watch Bill Nighy, who stars as Doctor Lazarus, whose death plunges his forensic psychologist son (Sam Clafin) into a labyrinth of family mysteries.
    Emily Temple September 30, Literary Hub, 30 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Meander.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/meander. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.

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