meander 1 of 2

meander

2 of 2

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
Verb
Soybeans and corn meander from Midwest farms all the way across the Pacific to feed China’s large (and growing) livestock industry. Brett Owens, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025 The experience changes with each season, and our January version yielded sun, crisp temps, and very few other visitors—which made for a perfect mind-clearing meander. Adam Hurly, Robb Report, 15 Apr. 2025
Noun
Otherwise, they’re usually spotted meandering alone, and their path may appear random and chaotic. Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 June 2025 To this day, Britain’s Brexit path remains meandering and slow. Jonathan Haskel, Foreign Affairs, 10 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for meander
Recent Examples of Synonyms for meander
Verb
  • Partygoers wandered the streets, drinks in hand, wearing Scrim costumes made from furry onesies.
    David W. Brown, New Yorker, 5 July 2025
  • Read a book, breathe deeply or just let your mind wander.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 5 July 2025
Noun
  • In my experience, most sea salt sprays require some sort of trade-off: either tons of volume but tangles, or great wave definition but very little body.
    Ariel Wodarcyk, Glamour, 26 June 2025
  • One of the most aggressive garden invaders, bindweed rapidly rambles through perennials and shrubs, creating a leafy tangle of stems and foliage.
    Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 June 2025
Verb
  • Among the chaos is Rupert Friend, playing Martin Krebs, who's assembling a group to take to the scene of the devastation in hopes of extracting DNA from the creatures roaming the island to fund his next medical breakthrough.
    Billie Melissa, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 June 2025
  • Bear numbers swelled, and by the mid-2000s, more than 600 bears roamed the Yellowstone area.
    Christine Peterson, Vox, 27 June 2025
Noun
  • And finally, Gi-hun is ready to talk … or sort of snarl under his breath, anyway.
    Jennifer Zhan, Vulture, 27 June 2025
  • Service may be rendered with a snarl instead of a smile.
    Christopher Elliott, USA Today, 17 June 2025
Verb
  • To a Lou Reed soundtrack, Klausner set the stage for his show that recalled the archetypal Dries Van Noten wardrobe according to show notes and as 'late night blurs into a morning,' where 'a man in love strolls the beach at dawn, after a party.
    Roxanne Robinson, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025
  • Usher, 46, and his wife strolled around together in casual attire, while Gates, 69, and his serious girlfriend coordinated in black outfits.
    Ashlyn Robinette, People.com, 27 June 2025
Noun
  • Identity Theft companies can monitor personal information like your Social Security Number (SSN), phone number, and email address and alert you if it is being sold on the dark web or being used to open an account.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2025
  • This content uses JavaScript and WebGL features that are not supported or blocked by your web browser or device.
    Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 June 2025
Verb
  • Even minor sparks or drifting embers can incite nearby foliage or grass, setting off a rapidly spreading fire.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 1 July 2025
  • Without that connection, even high-output leaders can drift into disengagement or overwork disguised as drive.
    Julian Hayes II, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
Noun
  • Each insurance company seems to have its own labyrinth of portals and billing procedures.
    Paulina Wierzbicka, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
  • Deep beneath the Zagros Mountains in central Iran, in a labyrinth of fortified tunnels outside the city of Natanz, centrifuges spun at speeds too fast for the eye to track.
    Nik Popli, Time, 19 June 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Meander.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/meander. Accessed 10 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on meander

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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