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

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

Verb

Throngs of guests dined, shopped and meandered through the upscale mall over the weekend, bringing life to the shuttered complex that sat vacant for 19 months due to the devastating Palisades fire. — Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 20 Aug. 2026

Xander Bogaerts’ two-run homer in the fourth inning set both starting pitchers on a different course, one that meandered from there toward a 7-5 victory over the Guardians. — Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Aug. 2026

Kai embarks on meandering reflections reminiscent of Sepp the tuba player. — Literary Hub, 11 Aug. 2026

That’s how Drake Maye ended his latest two-minute drill at Patriots training camp Monday, a meandering march that began around midfield and ended with Maye hurrying the offense to the 3-yard line with 10 seconds on the clock. — Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 10 Aug. 2026

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