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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
On the streamer’s biggest hit, Game Changer, a competition show in which the premise changes every episode, Wysocki has managed to nurture intense parasocial bonds with Dropout’s fans by showcasing his personality as a chillass wandering spirit. Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 15 Sep. 2025 Eventually, McLaughlin wandered into a four-year graphic design program at East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania. Corey Buhay, Outside, 15 Sep. 2025
Noun
Alongside framing a poetics of wonder and wander, the writings across this trinity of works give us glimpses into how the world taught Oliver to love, a generosity revealed in what has sometimes been seen as lack. Natalie Diaz september 11, Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2025 When machines provide automation, human attention wanders and capabilities decay. David Autor, The Atlantic, 24 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for wander
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wander
Verb
  • Colorful murals adorn the interior, with communal tables and high ceilings, and the outdoors has beer-keg tables and heat lamps and lots of room for patrons — and their dogs — to roam.
    John Metcalfe, Mercury News, 13 Sep. 2025
  • His beam wavered on a patch of blankness, or the corner of an amp, and then began to roam the stage in desperation, scanning here and scanning there—until, from the darkness, the voice of Bruce Dickinson, Iron Maiden’s singer, was heard.
    James Parker, The Atlantic, 12 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • In its heyday, the series was forced to contend with photographers trespassing on the set, hiding in bushes and trees in hopes of capturing major spoilers.
    Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2025
  • The driver refuses to get out and argues that police are trespassing on private property.
    Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 8 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The sneakers are ideal for a number of activities — from leisurely strolls to long work shifts to more intense sessions at the gym.
    Clara McMahon, PEOPLE, 17 Sep. 2025
  • Freshman year of college will probably make senior year of high school look like a stroll down the discount aisle.
    Melissa Willets, Parents, 15 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Of growing closer to certain friends at certain times, and drifting away from others?
    Jane Ciabattari September 16, Literary Hub, 16 Sep. 2025
  • For years, political speech in America has been drifting into darker territory.
    Marly Berlin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • New residential property prices fell year-on-year during August in 65 out of 70 cities surveyed by the NBS, data also showed.
    Nino Paoli, Fortune, 15 Sep. 2025
  • Penske’s complaint argues that practice isn’t a fair exchange and has caused significant financial harm, with the company’s affiliate revenue falling by more than a third (as a result of Google’s AI Overviews co-opting traffic that might have otherwise gone to Penske outlets).
    Andy Meek, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • On the control side, the company reports combining reinforcement learning, imitation learning, and linear-actuator torque control so K2 can switch gaits dynamically across complex terrains and sustain a natural, human-like walk.
    Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 12 Sep. 2025
  • The walk is presided over by its creator, a mysterious authoritarian figure known as the Major (Mark Hamill) who extolls the sadistic contest as a boon for the spirits of the impoverished American people.
    Megan McCluskey, Time, 12 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The show’s world slowly expands; we’re introduced to a biker gang that traffics fentanyl up and down the East Coast, a handful of inexperienced agents and state police officers who get absorbed into Tom’s task force, stray villains with face tattoos, cheerful water-ice vendors.
    Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 17 Sep. 2025
  • Leaders can build this alignment by reinforcing purpose in every meeting, connecting tasks to business outcomes, and empowering teams to challenge ideas that stray from the mission.
    Luciana Cemerka, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Wander.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wander. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.

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