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
Paddies and wheat fields line the meandering roads between villages. Aishwarya S. Iyer, CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2025 Using the ‘Mars Chamber’ For years, scientists have hypothesized that CO2 ice blocks play a role in forming these meandering gullies on Mars. Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 15 Oct. 2025 Cox’s restaurant sits alongside the river’s meandering path through Pagosa Springs, with multiple dog-friendly picnic tables right next to the water and an outdoor patio a few feet up the hillside. Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 14 Oct. 2025 Take a stroll downtown to spot miniature pumpkins dangling from the oaks along Main Street, or meander down smaller streets to find oversized skeletons by the sidewalks and witches’ hats strung overhead. Symiah Dorsey, Southern Living, 11 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for meander
Recent Examples of Synonyms for meander
Verb
  • The latest offering – the Nomads – is designed for folks who like to wander, and can be had with three batteries.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 22 Oct. 2025
  • Others let their curiosity get the best of them and wander out into the world through a new hole in the fence.
    Cody Godwin, USA Today, 22 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • What is normal in the state of dementia, where connections are not being made, where tangle is all, objects take on a curious aspect, and where there is an unpleasant flavor to the hours?
    Joy Williams, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
  • In a yarn shop, a tangle of tariffs Sara Heckman’s shop Apricot Yarn & Supply sells yarn from around the world.
    Roxana Popescu, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Some locals believe founder Charles Pfister still roams the property, according to reports, and even celebrities like rapper Megan Thee Stallion have gone ghost hunting there.
    Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2025
  • To the south is the entrance to Custer State Park, where bison roam freely.
    Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 24 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • There was a snarl in his voice.
    David Wingrave, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
  • 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
Verb
  • That’s fine if your ideal rom-com is familiar enough to enjoy while strolling room to room putting away laundry or watching via a second screen while your first displays Da Bears game.
    Ben Travers, IndieWire, 23 Oct. 2025
  • Explore the corn maze, stroll through a sunflower field, enjoy riverfront tractor rides and take in the views with hot air balloon and helicopter rides available on select weekends.
    Katie Nixon, Nashville Tennessean, 22 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Amazon and Apple are set to report on Thursday, and Cramer said the most important aspect of the former’s quarter is its web services division.
    Julie Coleman, CNBC, 27 Oct. 2025
  • For each web, arrange 8 pretzel sticks like the spokes of a wheel with ends touching in center.
    Sabrina Weiss, PEOPLE, 27 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • And if the driver starts tailgating or drifting toward your lane, move over or take the next exit.
    Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 21 Oct. 2025
  • And at other points while on the ship, the teens often wound up drifting back to the parents after spending some time without us.
    Beth Luberecki, USA Today, 21 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • From there, investigators, journalists, and suspects become entangled in a labyrinth of fear, obsession, and paranoia.
    Isadora Wandermurem, Time, 22 Oct. 2025
  • More than 30 participating brands took over the center of the Oculus in a Sephoria-esque labyrinth of cubicles, each fashioned after each brand’s DNA.
    James Manso, Footwear News, 22 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Meander.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/meander. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.

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