Synonyms of wander

wander 1 of 2

verb

ˈwän-dər 

1

as in to roam

to move about from place to place aimlessly

we just went outside and wandered around until it was time to go

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

2

as in to trespass

to commit an offense

we have all wandered from the path of righteousness at least once in our lives

Synonyms & Similar Words

• trespass
• fall
• stray
• err
• sin
• offend
• transgress
• fall from grace
• violate
• break the law
• infringe
• lapse
• break
• breach
• backslide
• mess up

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• justify
• forgive
• pardon
• regret
• repent
• rue

wander

2 of 2

noun

as in stroll

a relaxed journey on foot for exercise or pleasure

a wander through the woods

Synonyms & Similar Words

• stroll
• walk
• saunter
• ramble
• amble
• trip
• turn
• constitutional
• tour
• perambulation
• parade
• travel
• march
• trek
• promenade
• traverse
• range
• hike
• traipse
• excursion
• expedition
• jaunt
• tramp
• walkabout
• pilgrimage
• traversal
• peregrination
• paseo
• spin
• sally
• progress
• outing
• sashay
• safari
• junket

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

Recent Examples of wander

Verb

When Kiwi the domestic short-haired tabby was found wandering the streets back in mid-March, her rescuers could never have predicted what would come next. —Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Apr. 2025

So his appearance wasn’t a huge shock, except to maybe a worker bee or two who attempted to wander in for an innocent caffeine or empanada fix after the end of a shift. —Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 17 Apr. 2025

Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office A rancher's dog in Arizona is being hailed as a hero after rescuing a local 2-year-old boy who had wandered nearly seven miles away from home and spent the night in the desert. —Alana Wise, NPR, 16 Apr. 2025

However, sometimes the poles wander — with the most recent such event occurring about 41,000 years ago. —Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 16 Apr. 2025