1
as in ranging
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Dissimilar Words
1
as in flowing
to move or proceed smoothly and readily
casual conversation drifting from one topic to another
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in floating
to rest or move along the surface of a liquid or in the air
the boat drifted along on the current
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in wandering
to move about from place to place aimlessly
spent several years drifting from town to town, picking up odd jobs whenever he needed cash
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of drifting
Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 30 Mar. 2026
Investors have grown more anxious about inflation, with Treasury yields rising and consumer surveys showing short‑term price expectations drifting upward.
—Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
Even minor sparks or drifting embers can incite nearby foliage or grass, setting off a rapidly spreading fire.
—Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 28 Mar. 2026
For some, including neighboring musicians, the slow pace of baseball perfectly complements the rhythm of drifting on the water.
—Loureen Ayyoub, CBS News, 28 Mar. 2026
Thursday will be mostly sunny, with patches of fair weather clouds drifting through periodically.
—Greg Porter, San Francisco Chronicle, 26 Mar. 2026
The tanker, believed to be carrying about 190,000 barrels of Russian diesel, spent weeks drifting in the Atlantic before diverting toward Venezuela, according to tracking data.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 25 Mar. 2026
Rogue planets—many of which have already been detected drifting through space—are thought to have been expelled from their original systems through gravitational interactions.
—Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 22 Mar. 2026
Even minor sparks or drifting embers can incite nearby foliage or grass, setting off a rapidly spreading fire.
—Kansas City Star Weather Bot, Kansas City Star, 21 Mar. 2026
Verb
Brent crude futures for May delivery climbed to their near peak in the futures market Sunday evening, before drifting down to $113 on Monday.
—Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 30 Mar. 2026
Investors have grown more anxious about inflation, with Treasury yields rising and consumer surveys showing short‑term price expectations drifting upward.
—Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
Even minor sparks or drifting embers can incite nearby foliage or grass, setting off a rapidly spreading fire.
—Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 28 Mar. 2026
For some, including neighboring musicians, the slow pace of baseball perfectly complements the rhythm of drifting on the water.
—Loureen Ayyoub, CBS News, 28 Mar. 2026
Thursday will be mostly sunny, with patches of fair weather clouds drifting through periodically.
—Greg Porter, San Francisco Chronicle, 26 Mar. 2026
The tanker, believed to be carrying about 190,000 barrels of Russian diesel, spent weeks drifting in the Atlantic before diverting toward Venezuela, according to tracking data.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 25 Mar. 2026
Rogue planets—many of which have already been detected drifting through space—are thought to have been expelled from their original systems through gravitational interactions.
—Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 22 Mar. 2026
Even minor sparks or drifting embers can incite nearby foliage or grass, setting off a rapidly spreading fire.
—Kansas City Star Weather Bot, Kansas City Star, 21 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for drifting
Adjective
-
This is surprising for something that is supposed to require less hovering, especially if the host is out of hearing range of the device's alerts.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Kari Shinneman, a tax specialist at H&R Block, was among those watching the scene develop on Monday after evacuating her office when smoke began flowing in through the ceiling tiles.—
Jenna Ebbers,
Kansas City Star,
1 Apr. 2026
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His grandchildren, Fitz and Ingrid, have lived most of their young lives above 6,000 feet, their lungs and arteries working overtime to keep oxygen flowing through their ever-active little bodies.—
Namir Khaliq,
Big Think,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The photos show a boat floating over a sea clouded with what the groups say is oil, which appears to be streaming out of a platform.—
Megan Janetsky,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Apr. 2026
-
His drive and floating feed to Zvonimir Ivišić was part of Illinois’ finishing spurt against Iowa.—
Colleen Kane,
Chicago Tribune,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Wear it with sandals to the beach, throw on sneakers for wandering around town, and add a cardigan when the evening gets breezy.—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
4 Apr. 2026
-
In addition to wandering tourists, expect to see theater crew, set designers, actors, and matronly sensei in pastel kimonos and big, pinned up hairdos haunting the vicinity.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
One of my favorites was an oil-on-wood-panel work by the young talent Lau Yin Yeung titled Ferry gliding through the sea of fog.—
Matt Ortile,
Condé Nast Traveler,
31 Mar. 2026
-
The Moon is gliding into your 3rd House of Discussions, encouraging thoughtful messages that show patience and explain your intentions for upcoming events.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Valid for British Isles Explorer itineraries sailing in 2026 or 2027, or for another itinerary and extension of equal or lesser value—within the same stateroom category or lower—during the same period, if the itinerary and extension offered is not available.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Another bulk carrier, the Mac Hope, identifying itself as sailing under Chinese ownership and with a Chinese crew, also transited the strait on Monday, MarineTraffic data show.—
Lucia I Suarez Sang,
CBS News,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Chicago is a beautiful city and shouldn’t have to deal with kids roaming around with nothing to do.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Sac State is the host school at Golden 1 Center for this event, which means more familiar faces roaming the arena, including Orr, Bill Macriss, Jason Spencer, Brian Berger, Ryan Bjork and others.—
Joe Davidson,
Sacbee.com,
28 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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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
Cite this Entry
“Drifting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drifting. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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