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wander

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noun

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb wander contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of wander are meander, ramble, roam, rove, and traipse. While all these words mean "to go about from place to place usually without a plan or definite purpose," wander implies an absence of or an indifference to a fixed course.

fond of wandering about the square just watching the people

When might meander be a better fit than wander?

The words meander and wander 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

When is ramble a more appropriate choice than wander?

The meanings of ramble and wander largely overlap; however, 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 wander?

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

liked to roam through the woods

When can rove be used instead of wander?

While in some cases nearly identical to wander, rove suggests vigorous and sometimes purposeful roaming.

armed brigands roved over the countryside

In what contexts can traipse take the place of wander?

The synonyms traipse and wander are sometimes interchangeable, but traipse implies a course that is erratic but may sometimes be purposeful.

traipsed all over town looking for the right dress

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 wander
Verb
In the 28 Days‘ defining moment, Cillian Murphy’s Jim wakes up from a coma to wander a deserted London. Aaron Couch, HollywoodReporter, 18 June 2025 The actors commit fully to every deranged tic they’re saddled with, so even long scenes of them wandering through the street, looking for people to terrorize, are gripping. Daniel Dockery, Vulture, 18 June 2025 The enclosure protects birds and other wildlife from your cat while safeguarding the cat from wandering off or falling prey to a larger predator. Kathy Barnes, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 June 2025 Then of course, there’s wandering through some of the region’s rich history. Tom Hyland, Forbes.com, 12 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for wander
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wander
Verb
  • Among the chaos is Rupert Friend, playing Martin Krebs, who's assembling a group to take to the scene of the devastation in hopes of extracting DNA from the creatures roaming the island to fund his next medical breakthrough.
    Billie Melissa, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 June 2025
  • Bear numbers swelled, and by the mid-2000s, more than 600 bears roamed the Yellowstone area.
    Christine Peterson, Vox, 27 June 2025
Verb
  • This reclassification grants the Army's U.S. Northern Command expanded authority to enforce immigration laws, including the power to search and temporarily detain those who trespass in the new military zone.
    Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 June 2025
  • The county judge and county attorney — the officials who handled the thousands of trespassing prosecutions — each got a substantial raise.
    Jack Herrera Jack Herrera, New York Times, 1 May 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
  • When her moment came to walk the red carpet three days later, a radiant Cassie held hands with Combs, her hair styled to fall just over her injured eyebrow and eye.
    Laura Trujillo, USA Today, 27 June 2025
  • Season two saw Valerie cast in an HBO project about the sitcom writer who made her life hell in season one, earning widespread acclaim professionally even as her personal life was falling apart.
    Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 27 June 2025
Noun
  • And at times, in certain places and situations, it was expected and welcome—on a long walk, or when a person confessed something pitiful, or at a funeral or a party.
    Zadie Smith, New Yorker, 30 June 2025
  • That remained the case in Sunday’s 12-5, rubber match win over the A’s, as Chisholm went 2-for-4 with four RBI, a solo homer, two runs scored and a walk while shining on defense.
    Gary Phillips, Hartford Courant, 30 June 2025
Verb
  • Usher, 46, and his wife strolled around together in casual attire, while Gates, 69, and his serious girlfriend coordinated in black outfits.
    Ashlyn Robinette, People.com, 27 June 2025
  • Into this world strolls Sonny Hayes (Brad Pitt), a rough-around-the-edges veteran driver who (literally) crashed out of Formula One several decades ago.
    Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 27 June 2025
Verb
  • The narrators of these songs don’t worry about betraying an oath or straying from a traditional role; friends and family figure only as concerned characters wondering whether their newly single buddy is okay.
    Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 20 June 2025
  • In the sixth, Alonso strayed too far off first on Jeff McNeil’s lineout to short — the only one of the outs that Mendoza referred to as a mistake.
    Tim Britton, New York Times, 18 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Wander.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wander. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.

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