1
as in rambling
passing from one topic to another
your decidedly wandering essay loses its punch—stick to one theme
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in nomadic
traveling from place to place
a wandering carnival that visited small towns all over the South
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in roaming
to move about from place to place aimlessly
we just went outside and wandered around until it was time to go
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in trespassing
to commit an offense
we have all wandered from the path of righteousness at least once in our lives
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 wandering
Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 9 Mar. 2026
This full-sun outdoor container stars a wandering dude vine with bold purple, green, and silver foliage.
—Johanna Silver, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Mar. 2026
Annie Daly, Vogue, 10 Mar. 2026
Alzheimer’s disease can impair a person’s ability to recognize familiar places, and wandering can happen at any stage of the illness, though people in the moderate stages tend to be more likely to roam off.
—Panashe Matemba-Mutasa, Mercury News, 10 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for wandering
Adjective
The narrative centers on the mercenary Dao Ma, a wandering bounty hunter who is entrusted to escort a mysterious fugitive across the treacherous Western deserts to the capital of Chang’an.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 9 Mar. 2026
This full-sun outdoor container stars a wandering dude vine with bold purple, green, and silver foliage.
—Johanna Silver, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Mar. 2026
Verb
Locals consistently rave about FIG and Leon’s Oyster Shop, though wandering around aimlessly—especially on the city’s lively King Street—is part of the fun, too.
—Annie Daly, Vogue, 10 Mar. 2026
Alzheimer’s disease can impair a person’s ability to recognize familiar places, and wandering can happen at any stage of the illness, though people in the moderate stages tend to be more likely to roam off.
—Panashe Matemba-Mutasa, Mercury News, 10 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for wandering
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wandering
Adjective
-
Her conversation was rambling and fascinating.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Mar. 2026
-
This film, so seemingly unassertive, apparently rambling and plotless, has a devastating impact and aftershock.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
This was all explained to me in the oasis town of Tighmert by Abderrahmane Laasel, who grew up in a nomadic family that once traveled hundreds of miles each year to find pasture.—
Kevin West,
Travel + Leisure,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Anthropocene framing conscripts the work into contemporary climate discourse, rendering its specific engagement with Kazakh nomadic destruction merely illustrative of broader ecological crisis.—
Anel Rakhimzhanova,
Artforum,
1 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
As the vast landscape spread out below, filled with roaming herds and golden hues, our guest popped the question—creating a moment both magical and unforgettable.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
17 Mar. 2026
-
By the time glacial ice from the era receded and temperatures warmed enough for the ectotherms, Ireland had broken off from the European continent and was inaccessible to roaming reptiles.—
K. R. Callaway,
Scientific American,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The city discourages trespassing on private property.—
Doug Ross,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Mar. 2026
-
But then the forests themselves start coming to life when they’re not supposed to, consuming the humans unwittingly trespassing on their land.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
2 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
New this season are nomad-style cooking workshops, starlit movies for younger campers, and sunrise hawk walks.—
Katharina Kotrba,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Drivers may also experience drifting snow.—
Madeline King,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Mar. 2026
-
Ice accumulations may make roads slick, while lighter snow totals will still cause travel difficulties and drifting snow as winds pick up.—
Brandi D. Addison,
USA Today,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Conyears-Ervin, Chicago’s treasurer since 2019, launched her second bid for the seat after falling short of unseating incumbent Davis two years ago.—
Alice Yin,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Mar. 2026
-
In fact, the temperature at Camp Mabry, Austin’s main weather observation site, tied the record for the largest 24-hour temperature drop, falling 58 degrees from a high of 97 degrees Sunday afternoon to a low of 39 degrees Monday morning.—
Newsroom Meteorologist,
Austin American Statesman,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Spend an afternoon strolling around downtown’s Market Square and enjoying the ample greenspace at World’s Fair Park.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Take pictures against the blue-green sea or spend some time relaxing or strolling on the white sand.—
Cailey Rizzo,
Travel + Leisure,
10 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Wandering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wandering. Accessed 19 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
