1
as in routine
an established and often automatic or monotonous series of actions followed when engaging in some activity
shuttling the kids between extracurricular activities is all part of the suburban drill
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
1
as in to pierce
to make a hole or series of holes in
the nerve-jangling sound when a dentist drills a tooth
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to shoot
to strike with a missile from a gun
drilled the target from 100 yards away
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of drill
Robin George Andrews, Scientific American, 14 May 2026
Karaban went 18-for-25 in the 3-point star drill, 21-for-25 in the side-mid-side drill, 18-for-25 in spot-up shooting and 22-for-30 in shooting off the dribble.
—Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 14 May 2026
Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 13 May 2026
Pariente also says the toothpick hypothesis may be more plausible than drilling.
—Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 13 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for drill
Noun
Expected to launch by next year, NASA’s robotic rover VIPER (Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover) will use spectrometers and an onboard drill to scout the lunar south pole for signs of water ice and helium.
—Robin George Andrews, Scientific American, 14 May 2026
Karaban went 18-for-25 in the 3-point star drill, 21-for-25 in the side-mid-side drill, 18-for-25 in spot-up shooting and 22-for-30 in shooting off the dribble.
—Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 14 May 2026
Verb
Vegas defenseman Brayden McNabb came across the neutral zone to drill Ducks center Ryan Poehling into the boards, after which Poehling left the ice with noodly legs and considerable assistance.
—Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 13 May 2026
Pariente also says the toothpick hypothesis may be more plausible than drilling.
—Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 13 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for drill
Recent Examples of Synonyms for drill
Noun
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Move the desk, change the routine, state the preference.—
Tarot.com,
The Orlando Sentinel,
15 May 2026
-
These creators made that knowledge far more accessible, producing educational content on everything from building a washday routine and transitioning from relaxers to mastering styles like twist-outs.—
Annie Blay-Tettey,
Allure,
14 May 2026
Noun
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In an interview with the website Public Parking, the writer Lucy Ives describes ad-libbing a writing exercise to kill an awkward classroom silence.—
David O’Neill,
New Yorker,
20 May 2026
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This is an exercise in making a mess and having fun, and then cleaning it up and making meaning, and then doing that all again three times.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 May 2026
Verb
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Gabrielle’s unflinching competence and dynamism belie acute sensitivity, and the actress allows hints of child-like hurt and hesitation to pierce the carapace.—
Jon Frosch,
HollywoodReporter,
13 May 2026
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Because errors constantly occurred and changes were frequently made to the code, Hamilton sometimes edited the printout by hand by sealing excess holes with clear tape or piercing missing ones in the paper tape with a sharp pencil.—
Manon Bischoff,
Scientific American,
12 May 2026
Verb
-
The company recently shot a pilot for a food travel series Soul Table with former CNN anchor Brooke Baldwin, activist LaTosha Brown and Michelin chef Dominique Crenn (Chef’s Table).—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
19 May 2026
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Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs shoots the ball against Jalen Williams #8 and Chet Holmgren #7 of the Oklahoma City Thunder during the fourth quarter in Game One of the NBA Western Conference Finals at Paycom Center on May 18, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.—
Tim Rohan,
NBC news,
19 May 2026
Verb
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Combined with soaring transport and fuel costs, which are essential for everything from running pumps and irrigation to harvesting rice and getting it to market, farmers may not be able to afford to plant the next season’s crop.—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
16 May 2026
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Griffin's dad eventually shot Reeves to prevent him from talking, so Tynan helped cover up the murder by planting the gun on the victim.—
Caroline Blair,
PEOPLE,
15 May 2026
Noun
-
Take a break from the daily grind.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2026
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This is a crucial week to brainstorm, be strategic, and get on the grind to climb the corporate ladder.—
Kyle Thomas,
PEOPLE,
17 May 2026
Noun
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Eco effort The hotel employs single-stream recycling and green housekeeping practices, and also has a green roof ecosystem to reduce the building’s heat load.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
19 May 2026
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Washington — The Supreme Court on Monday told lower courts to take another look at a pair of cases involving whether private individuals and groups can sue to enforce a key provision of the Voting Rights Act that prohibits discriminatory voting practices.—
Melissa Quinn,
CBS News,
18 May 2026
Verb
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The investigation determined that Castillo used his control panel to unlock the third inmate’s cell, and in his line of sight, the pair pulled open the door, entered the cell and proceeded to punch and kick the victim.—
Robert Salonga,
Mercury News,
19 May 2026
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Two inmates punched and kicked the victim for about 30 seconds in his cell, while a third inmate stood guard.—
Tim Fang,
CBS News,
19 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Drill.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drill. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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