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
Melinda Newman, Billboard, 13 Mar. 2026
Keiji is a wandering chicken in Japan seeking revenge against demons for the murder of his sister.
—K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 13 Mar. 2026
Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 Apr. 2026
Qing Bao has become increasingly active in return, wandering her habitat, scent marking, climbing trees and vocalizing back at Bao Li.
—Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 8 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for wandering
Adjective
Their voices caress each other as much as their wandering fingers do as two of country music’s best collaborators each add another blockbuster duet to their repertoire.
—Melinda Newman, Billboard, 13 Mar. 2026
Keiji is a wandering chicken in Japan seeking revenge against demons for the murder of his sister.
—K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 13 Mar. 2026
Verb
The first follows the Rajput king Ratansen of Chitor (a fortress in what is now Chittorgarh, Rajasthan), who renounces his throne and travels as a yogi (wandering ascetic) to the island kingdom of Simhal to win the legendary Padmavati.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 Apr. 2026
Qing Bao has become increasingly active in return, wandering her habitat, scent marking, climbing trees and vocalizing back at Bao Li.
—Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 8 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for wandering
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wandering
Adjective
-
The North Carolina folk-rock band’s quiet and rambling third album exists in a cloud of dreamy contemplation.—
Jayson Greene,
Pitchfork,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Trump’s speech was at times entertaining, rambling, repetitive, and combative.—
Matthew Martin,
semafor.com,
30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The Athletics got to Yankees closer David Bednar in the ninth inning Wednesday night, paving the way for a 3-2, series-tying victory for the nomadic visitors at Yankee Stadium.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
9 Apr. 2026
-
These descendants of Kazakh nomadic herders, who once moved freely across the steppe with their animals, now speak of staying put as a mark of strength rather than constraint.—
Magdalena Stawkowski,
The Conversation,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Less than four years later, Dubón will be back in center field and assured there would be no hesitation roaming the green grass Saturday against the Guardians.—
Chad Bishop,
AJC.com,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Others went back to roaming the hillsides with their livestock.—
Julie Bourdin,
NPR,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
All of the remaining children were trespassing on the facility, but are not being charged.—
Charna Flam,
PEOPLE,
8 Apr. 2026
-
New York State Police have arrested about a dozen people for trespassing there so far this year.—
Tony Aiello,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 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
-
The simulation is so immersive that windows, shaped like those of a plane, show drifting clouds as the room trembles with faux turbulence.—
Chris Malloy,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
14 Apr. 2026
-
The music drifting in from outside filled the spaces between sobs.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
13 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
By 2025, Anderson — then 59 and nearing completion of her bachelor’s degree — was failing classes and falling behind on bills.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
14 Apr. 2026
-
The Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) says lead paint is falling from six Baltimore-area bridges and contaminating waterways.—
Adam Thompson,
CBS News,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Not to be outdone, the Tuscany Active Culinary Walking & Hiking Tour in Italy features wine sipping, a cooking class led by an engaging Italian chef, and plenty of strolling through the countryside.—
Beth Luberecki,
USA Today,
11 Apr. 2026
-
These days, Bailey is one of the celebrities people would be thrilled to see strolling down Hollywood Boulevard.—
Kailyn Brown,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Wandering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wandering. Accessed 17 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
