roll 1 of 3

1
as in to round
to form into a round compact mass rolled up the wrapper from the straw and threw it

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
as in to rumble
to make a low heavy rolling sound thunder rolling in the distance

Synonyms & Similar Words

3
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
6
7

roll

2 of 3

noun (1)

roll

3 of 3

noun (2)

as in rotation
a rapid turning about on an axis or central point the squirrel did a quick roll and vanished up a tree

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 roll
Verb
Whales were seen biting off the tips of bull kelp stalks, placing them between themselves and another whale and then rolling the stalk between their two bodies over long periods — with the longest lasting 12 minutes. Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 23 June 2025 All of which is to say that the good times rolled all the way through. Sam Amick, New York Times, 22 June 2025
Noun
Later this year, Odom will reprise his roll as Aaron Burr for much longer than a few minutes. Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 9 June 2025 Written in Latin, the coroners' rolls are records of sudden or suspicious deaths as investigated by a jury of local men, called together by the coroner to establish facts and reach a verdict. ArsTechnica, 6 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for roll
Recent Examples of Synonyms for roll
Verb
  • Instead, the character inspired by her own love story is played by Hacks star Megan Stalter, with a cast of up-and-comers rounding out the ensemble of the Netflix comedy-drama that’s sure to generate plenty of conversation.
    Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 1 July 2025
  • Footage obtained by Reuters showed police scuffling with a group of activists holding rainbow flags in the city center before rounding them up and loading them into police vans.
    CNN Money, CNN Money, 29 June 2025
Verb
  • Yet there’s no denying the chorus of vehicles that rumbles through his prose.
    Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 30 June 2025
  • The letter comes a day before Equity and the producer trade body are due to sit down for yet another round of negotiations on a set of new collective agreements that has been rumbling for around 12 months, with AI safeguards proving quite the sticking point.
    Max Goldbart, Deadline, 24 June 2025
Verb
  • Two seagulls rode the air with outstretched wings, rocking side to side.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 30 June 2025
  • As Tyler Durden, Pitt struts with a cigarette in his mouth, rocking his sunglasses and trademark jackets.
    Derek Scancarelli, EW.com, 27 June 2025
Verb
  • The downside is that each method has a potential reaction from the AGI or ASI that could turn things ugly.
    Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 2 July 2025
  • In the multicam comedy, per the logline, Leanne’s (Morgan) world is turned upside down when her husband of 33 years unexpectedly leaves her for another woman.
    Denise Petski, Deadline, 1 July 2025
Verb
  • The case is likely to join a string of recent rulings from the Supreme Court's conservative majority that have unraveled campaign finance limits as violations of the First Amendment, allowing more money to flow into politics.
    June 30, CBS News, 30 June 2025
  • The tears of relief flowed as Ivanisevic climbed up the stadium to embrace his father.
    Tim Ellis, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
Verb
  • Label and rotate: Mark containers with dates to keep track of leftovers.
    Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 June 2025
  • Always let the area dry flat and undisturbed, and rotate furniture and rugs now and then to keep future dents at bay.
    Quincy Bulin, Southern Living, 29 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
Verb
  • That's because behind every gurgle and growl there's a bustling ecosystem of trillions of microorganisms that include bacteria, viruses and fungi that can all affect overall mental and physical well-being.
    Daryl Austin, USA Today, 24 June 2025
  • Distance-Increasing Signals: Behaviors such as lip licking, turning away, or stiffening, escalating to growling or lunging if ignored.
    Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 June 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Roll.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/roll. Accessed 7 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on roll

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!