Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Thesaurus

meander

verb

Synonyms and Antonyms of meander

to move about from place to place aimlessly
  • theatergoers meandering around the lobby waiting for the play to start
Synonyms of meander

bat, cruise, drift, float, gad (about), gallivant (also galavant), kick around, knock (about), maunder, mooch, ramble, range, roam, rove, traipse, wander
Words Related to meander

amble, saunter, stroll

dawdle, mope

gypsy, hobo, tramp, vagabond

mill (about or around)

straggle, stray

Synonym Discussion of meander

wander, roam, ramble, rove, traipse, meander mean to go about from place to place usually without a plan or definite purpose. wander implies an absence of or an indifference to a fixed course.
    • fond of wandering about the square just watching the people
roam suggests wandering about freely and often far afield.
    • liked to roam through the woods
ramble stresses carelessness and indifference to one's course or objective.
    • the speaker rambled on without ever coming to the point
rove suggests vigorous and sometimes purposeful roaming.
    • armed brigands roved over the countryside
traipse implies a course that is erratic but may sometimes be purposeful.
    • traipsed all over town looking for the right dress
meander implies a winding or intricate course suggestive of aimless or listless wandering.
    • the river meanders for miles through rich farmland

Learn More about meander

  1. See words that rhyme with meander Dictionary: Definition of meander Spanish Central: Translation of meander Nglish: Translation of meander for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of meander for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about meander

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up meander? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games