Synonyms of rove

rove

verb

ˈrōv 

as in to roam

to move about from place to place aimlessly

buffalo roving over the vast plains

Synonyms & Similar Words

• roam
• wander
• drift
• stroll
• cruise
• float
• meander
• range
• traipse
• ramble
• knock (about)
• saunter
• gallivant
• bat
• amble
• mooch
• maunder
• gad (about)
• dawdle
• mope
• kick around
• stray
• straggle
• tramp
• mill (about or around)
• vagabond
• hobo

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb rove contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of rove are meander, ramble, roam, traipse, and wander. While all these words mean "to go about from place to place usually without a plan or definite purpose," rove suggests vigorous and sometimes purposeful roaming.

armed brigands roved over the countryside

When is meander a more appropriate choice than rove?

The words meander and rove are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, meander implies a winding or intricate course suggestive of aimless or listless wandering.

the river meanders for miles through rich farmland

Where would ramble be a reasonable alternative to rove?

Although the words ramble and rove have much in common, ramble stresses carelessness and indifference to one's course or objective.

the speaker rambled on without ever coming to the point

When would roam be a good substitute for rove?

The words roam and rove can be used in similar contexts, but roam suggests wandering about freely and often far afield.

liked to roam through the woods

When might traipse be a better fit than rove?

The meanings of traipse and rove largely overlap; however, traipse implies a course that is erratic but may sometimes be purposeful.

traipsed all over town looking for the right dress

In what contexts can wander take the place of rove?

While in some cases nearly identical to rove, wander implies an absence of or an indifference to a fixed course.

fond of wandering about the square just watching the people

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of rove

Writers, especially when roving in packs at writers’ conferences and readings, can get a little name-droppy about their agents. —Literary Hub, 23 Jan. 2026

Nearby, buyers from British retailers such as Asos, Barbour, Next and Marks & Spencer, tried their hand at spinning cashmere roving into yarn or learned how to sew on a ruffle made from scrap fabric. —Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 22 Jan. 2026

Heim Pig Stand is expected to rove around Dallas-Fort Worth starting in spring 2026. —Sarah Blaskovich, Dallas Morning News, 21 Jan. 2026

The colorful pink-and-green trailer parked in a corner of the market is new vendor Piruchi, a roving Peruvian street-food cart from longtime friends Cecile Di Florio and Eduardo Uribe Gomez. —Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 16 Jan. 2026