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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
Lent also represents the 40 days Jesus wandered the desert praying and fasting after he was baptized. Grace Tucker, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025 Part love story, part heist, Morgan Pager’s novel is the perfect portal fantasy for anyone who has ever wandered a museum and wondered about the worlds, works, and lives on display. Gabrielle Bellot, Literary Hub, 1 July 2025 As dutiful beauty editors, our eyes couldn’t help but instantly wander to her manicure, a lilac-milk look created by celebrity nail artist Jenny Longworth, who, aside from working with Rihanna, is also responsible for some of Harry Styles’s nail looks. Catharine Malzahn, Glamour, 1 July 2025 For a glimpse into the town's past, climb the 199 steps to the top of the 1859 Cape May Lighthouse (the panoramic views are the icing on the cake) or wander the grounds of Congress Hall. Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 29 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
  • The teen was with a group of other young people who were trespassing on the Framingham/Worcester Line when the crash occurred, transit police told MassLive.
    Abigail Adams, People.com, 27 June 2025
  • 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
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
  • The crash occurred when the Chevrolet Silverado pickup the man was driving west on Broadway near Sweetwater Road drifted into oncoming traffic around 8 p.m., Sgt.
    Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 June 2025
Verb
  • Partner that with another warning sign: A declining ratio of U.S. exports to imports while the U.S. deficit increases into record territory – like trade falling two months in a row, atypical since the former tends to remain steady even as the deficit increases.
    Ken Roberts, Forbes.com, 9 July 2025
  • As 2024 began, demand for electricity on the national grid started falling—not because the economy was in decline but because (as careful scrutiny of images on Google Earth revealed) so many Pakistanis were putting up solar panels.
    Bill McKibben, New Yorker, 9 July 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
  • To a Lou Reed soundtrack, Klausner set the stage for his show that recalled the archetypal Dries Van Noten wardrobe according to show notes and as 'late night blurs into a morning,' where 'a man in love strolls the beach at dawn, after a party.
    Roxanne Robinson, Forbes.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
  • Freddy strays a little too close to the stereotype of a mystic savant; Michelle makes some rash and drastic decisions that beggar belief.
    Alison Herman, Variety, 28 June 2025
  • When the formula strays too far in one direction, things get weird.
    Benjamin Svetkey, HollywoodReporter, 28 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Wander.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wander. Accessed 14 Jul. 2025.

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