as in rambling
passing from one topic to another
a meandering interview with the presidential hopeful that covered everything from his family life to his proposed foreign policy
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in wandering
to move about from place to place aimlessly
theatergoers meandering around the lobby waiting for the play to start
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Recent Examples of meandering
Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Feb. 2026
Yet, the number of travel faux pas tourists make while strolling the streets of Milan, meandering through ancient ruins in Athens, or cruising around the Mediterranean remains pretty high, considering the increase in visits to Europe's major cities.
—Jillian Dara, Travel + Leisure, 20 Feb. 2026
Amy‘s ability to communicate an idea was never a direct line of thought, but instead a meandering story that landed in an unexpected way, bringing understanding and enlightenment.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 20 Feb. 2026
In Robinson’s New Jersey community, deer that are commonly seen in back yards have been meandering on the street since the community has been under roughly 10 inches of snow for at least 17 days.
—Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 15 Feb. 2026
But the 31-year-old still has strong memories of his cup of coffee in Foxboro, which taught him lessons he’s applied throughout his meandering NFL career.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 5 Feb. 2026
Law-enforcement traffic flooded the quiet meandering streets of the Catalina Foothills neighborhood.
—Clara Migoya, AZCentral.com, 3 Feb. 2026
Following the 1967 war, a rope of asphalt had replaced the rubble and barbed wire, meandering through the city like an unwanted river.
—Literary Hub, 2 Feb. 2026
Gone are the days of meandering to the neighborhood shops or spontaneously driving his Lexus up to Fort William to surprise his daughter Zaima on her descent from Ben Nevis.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 28 Jan. 2026
Verb
Here, Pat Sin Leng Country Park offers a tranquil retreat, with streams meandering through what were once rice paddies, now wetlands leading to the serene Hok Tau and Lau Shui Heung reservoirs.
—Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Feb. 2026
Yet, the number of travel faux pas tourists make while strolling the streets of Milan, meandering through ancient ruins in Athens, or cruising around the Mediterranean remains pretty high, considering the increase in visits to Europe's major cities.
—Jillian Dara, Travel + Leisure, 20 Feb. 2026
Amy‘s ability to communicate an idea was never a direct line of thought, but instead a meandering story that landed in an unexpected way, bringing understanding and enlightenment.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 20 Feb. 2026
In Robinson’s New Jersey community, deer that are commonly seen in back yards have been meandering on the street since the community has been under roughly 10 inches of snow for at least 17 days.
—Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 15 Feb. 2026
But the 31-year-old still has strong memories of his cup of coffee in Foxboro, which taught him lessons he’s applied throughout his meandering NFL career.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 5 Feb. 2026
Law-enforcement traffic flooded the quiet meandering streets of the Catalina Foothills neighborhood.
—Clara Migoya, AZCentral.com, 3 Feb. 2026
Following the 1967 war, a rope of asphalt had replaced the rubble and barbed wire, meandering through the city like an unwanted river.
—Literary Hub, 2 Feb. 2026
Gone are the days of meandering to the neighborhood shops or spontaneously driving his Lexus up to Fort William to surprise his daughter Zaima on her descent from Ben Nevis.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 28 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for meandering
Adjective
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Her rambling answer includes several deep breaths and a pause that has Mike’s mom shaking her head.—
Jennifer Zhan,
Vulture,
25 Feb. 2026
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The thinktank session was held at the rambling 40-acre Mettawa estate of another presidential also-ran, Adlai Stevenson II.—
Charles Selle,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Entrance is free, though a map will cost you about three pesos, so just show up and start wandering the mini walkways.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
21 Feb. 2026
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Think museums with marble floors, historic buildings, and hours spent wandering galleries.—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The term mesteño, meaning stray or wild, became, in cowboy-speak, mustang — that legendary, free-roaming denizen of the high plains.—
Foreign Correspondent,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Feb. 2026
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Given the fact that more than 20 of her rapists are still roaming free, this fame may be double-edged.—
Gaby Wood,
Vogue,
21 Feb. 2026
Verb
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But Titan’s drifting orbit is just one of many puzzles that astronomers are trying to solve about Saturn and some of its 274 moons.—
Jacopo Prisco,
CNN Money,
23 Feb. 2026
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Instead, slink slowly down the gentle river on a flat bamboo raft, drifting beneath tropical foliage.—
Carley Rojas Avila,
Travel + Leisure,
23 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Yet, the number of travel faux pas tourists make while strolling the streets of Milan, meandering through ancient ruins in Athens, or cruising around the Mediterranean remains pretty high, considering the increase in visits to Europe's major cities.—
Jillian Dara,
Travel + Leisure,
20 Feb. 2026
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The historic heart of Savannah is best experienced by strolling, drifting between the squares with stately old homes, cafes, shops and churches.—
Adam Kuehl,
New York Times,
19 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Meandering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/meandering. Accessed 28 Feb. 2026.
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