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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
Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 June 2025
Jalen Brunson and company came up big in Game 5 at Madison Square Garden, rolling to a 111-94 win to keep their season alive.
—Kilty Cleary, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 May 2025
The Editors, National Review, 5 June 2025
This isn’t just great for addressing shin splints but also overpronation (which is when your foot and ankle roll inward).
—Sara Coughlin, SELF, 5 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for roll
Verb
Tanks and other military vehicles will roll through city streets, symbolizing how the Republican president is reshaping the armed forces following his return to the White House this year.
—Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 June 2025
Jalen Brunson and company came up big in Game 5 at Madison Square Garden, rolling to a 111-94 win to keep their season alive.
—Kilty Cleary, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 May 2025
Noun
To start with, over roughly the past decade, thanks largely to Obamacare, Medicaid rolls have swelled by a staggering 22 million people, to over 78 million (that’s more than double the 37 million Americans living in poverty).
—The Editors, National Review, 5 June 2025
This isn’t just great for addressing shin splints but also overpronation (which is when your foot and ankle roll inward).
—Sara Coughlin, SELF, 5 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for roll
Recent Examples of Synonyms for roll
Verb
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The vibrant nightlife scene was rounded out each day of runway shows and networking opportunities, with Miami’s legendary party culture infusing the Swim Week energy.—
Cassell Ferere,
Forbes.com,
7 June 2025
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Take a whirl on the 180-foot observation wheel for a peek at Mississippi Sound; catch an adrenaline rush on the Rolling Thunder ‘coaster; and round out the afternoon with a foot-long corn dog and cotton candy from the onsite snack shacks.—
Betsy Cribb Watson,
Southern Living,
7 June 2025
Verb
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Two weak tornadoes struck the Kansas City area as a line of strong thunderstorms rumbled through the metro on Tuesday, the National Weather Service said.—
Robert A. Cronkleton,
Kansas City Star,
5 June 2025
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Its blast furnaces rumbled so loudly that the sound unnerved visiting high school football teams, recalls Ryan Weld, a West Virginia state senator who grew up in a steel family.—
Patrik Jonsson,
Christian Science Monitor,
3 June 2025
Verb
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When Kieran returns, now with a family of his own, the town is rocked by a murder that threatens to awaken long-dormant secrets.—
Barry Levitt,
Time,
6 June 2025
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There was even a right royal visit, with King Charles III rocking up to chat with John Lennon’s son Julian and Yellowstone star Mo Brings Plenty, of all people.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
6 June 2025
Verb
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Today, in a world still healing from a global pandemic and grappling with economic, political and climate uncertainty, the temptation to turn inward is strong.—
Kendra MacDonald,
Forbes.com,
10 June 2025
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This focus and appreciation for lifestyle gaming turned the DS from a simple console to a generation-defining device.—
CT Jones,
Rolling Stone,
9 June 2025
Verb
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Grateful for the good health and love that flows through my family.—
Sabienna Bowman,
People.com,
6 June 2025
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The real threat to the fiscal well-being of the median American comes from the price of energy, from which all other prices flow.—
Josh Hammer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 June 2025
Verb
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For more formal occasions, she’s also rotated in white sneakers worn with tailored linen separates — a recurring combination that blends practicality with polish.—
Maggie Clancy,
Footwear News,
7 June 2025
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The museum will also feature rotating contemporary exhibitions from Mexican, Latin American, and female artists.—
Bailey Berg,
AFAR Media,
6 June 2025
Verb
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The Switch's most famous durability issue has been the Joy-Con controllers that have experienced drifting problems, but that's only part of the story here.—
James Peckham,
PC Magazine,
6 June 2025
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The smoke has drifted south and east, creating moderate air quality levels for a large swath of central and southeastern states, according to AirNow.gov.—
Janet Loehrke,
USA Today,
5 June 2025
Verb
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Across 17 restless songs, packed into 30 minutes, Mel V growls and scream-raps her way through a vicious yet silly mind dump.—
Alphonse Pierre,
Pitchfork,
6 June 2025
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Common signs that your pup is having a tantrum include refusing to follow commands, excessive barking, growling, and destructive behaviors such as chewing.—
Maria Azzurra Volpe,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Roll.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/roll. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.
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