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2
3
as in to rock
to make a series of unsteady side-to-side motions
the car suddenly was rolling as high winds swept across the bridge
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in to turn
to move (something) in a curved or circular path on or as if on an axis
in order to knock your opponent off balance, you have to roll the log when he least expects it
Synonyms & Similar Words
5
as in to flow
to move in a stream
just lying on the beach, watching the clouds roll by
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in to rotate
to move in circles around an axis or center
rolled her head around her shoulders to loosen herself up
Synonyms & Similar Words
7
as in to drift
to move or proceed smoothly and readily
once we started rolling, everything went perfectly
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in list
a record of a series of items (as names or titles) usually arranged according to some system
called the roll of people supposed to be in the class
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Recent Examples of roll
Sabrina Weiss, PEOPLE, 30 Jan. 2026
But before the cameras rolled, the adhesive was applied.
—Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 29 Jan. 2026
Sharon Goldman, Fortune, 5 Feb. 2026
Cloud streets—or horizontal convective rolls, as scientists call them—form when cold, dry air flows above warm surface water—in this case, the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic waters near Florida.
—Andrea Thompson, Scientific American, 4 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for roll
Verb
The scene is reminiscent of the infamous annual cheese rolling events in Gloucestershire, England, when people race (and eventually tumble) down a hill in pursuit of a wheel of cheese.
—Sabrina Weiss, PEOPLE, 30 Jan. 2026
But before the cameras rolled, the adhesive was applied.
—Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 29 Jan. 2026
Noun
Google is on a roll thanks to AI.
—Sharon Goldman, Fortune, 5 Feb. 2026
Cloud streets—or horizontal convective rolls, as scientists call them—form when cold, dry air flows above warm surface water—in this case, the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic waters near Florida.
—Andrea Thompson, Scientific American, 4 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for roll
Recent Examples of Synonyms for roll
Verb
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Nagy’s arrival rounds out the Giants’ coordinator positions, with Dennard Wilson coming on as their defensive coordinator and Chris Horton as assistant head coach/special teams coordinator.—
Dianna Russini,
New York Times,
3 Feb. 2026
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The actual football game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs also rounded out one of the NFL's most successful ratings with an average of 126 million viewers.—
Pamela Avila,
USA Today,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The smell of methanol racing fuel and the buzz of anticipation filled Lucas Oil Stadium as a procession of monster trucks rumbled into position for Monster Jam’s two-show weekend on January 31 and February 1.—
Travis LaCoss,
IndyStar,
5 Feb. 2026
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The mom of three hears the televisions vibrating through the walls, video games clacking on the XBox, and the constant swirl of doors as her kids rumble through the house.—
Jessica Ma,
Dallas Morning News,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
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After nearly a year and a half without a permanent leader as pro-Palestinian protests and extraordinary federal scrutiny rocked its campus, Columbia University on Sunday tapped Jennifer Mnookin, the chancellor of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, as its next president.—
Cayla Bamberger,
New York Daily News,
26 Jan. 2026
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The timeless style was the third time Princess Charlotte rocked the look in four weeks.—
Janine Henni,
PEOPLE,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Michelle Williams turned heads in a sheer black gown that featured a structured bodice with delicate straps and a dramatic black tulle train.—
Ashley Hume,
FOXNews.com,
2 Feb. 2026
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Newsom appears to be trying a more aggressive strategy that his team hopes can work to turn negative stories to his advantage.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
2 Feb. 2026
Verb
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That flow to a degree has come at a cost to second-year Kel’el Ware, who has seen only limited minutes in his two games back after missing four with a hamstring strain.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
30 Jan. 2026
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The Namtso Blue collection, named after Tibet’s sacred Namtso Lake, included a range of lightweight and breathable jackets in a gradient color palette and a flowing knot emblem inspired by Tibetan nomadic culture.—
Lydia Price,
Travel + Leisure,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The modular roof bars rotate 90 degrees to become proper crossbars when needed, while the alloy wheels are subtly recessed to sit within the line of the tyre, helping avoid scrapes from inevitable encounters with kerbs or rocks.—
Fergus Scholes,
TheWeek,
30 Jan. 2026
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Roast in a preheated oven until extra crispy and browned, rotating baking sheet halfway through roasting time, about 20 minutes.—
Sabrina Weiss,
PEOPLE,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Word of specific cuts drifted out during the day, as when Cairo Bureau Chief Claire Parker announced on X that she had been laid off, along with all of the newspaper’s Middle East correspondents and editors.—
David Bauder,
Fortune,
4 Feb. 2026
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This petite, chic travel jewelry case keeps necklaces untangled, prevents rings from drifting to the bottom of her carry-on, and secures earring posts from bending or breaking.—
Annie Blackman,
InStyle,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
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These are the romance movies that lean into big emotions, meaningful connections, and the kind of love that lingers long after the credits roll — and will likely leave you balling your eyes out.—
Ryan Brennan,
Miami Herald,
30 Jan. 2026
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The leaders on the team can ball, too.—
PJ Green,
Kansas City Star,
23 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Roll.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/roll. Accessed 6 Feb. 2026.
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