1
as in routines
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 punches
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 shoots
to strike with a missile from a gun
drilled the target from 100 yards away
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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show current usage.
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Recent Examples of drills
Matt Byrne, Arkansas Online, 9 Feb. 2026
After the game, The Athletic observed Carvajal out on the pitch going through some post-match drills with physical trainer Antonio Pintus.
—Mario Cortegana, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2026
He could be heard often on Saturday screaming encouragement to the middle school group during one-on-one drills.
—Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Feb. 2026
The team was not supposed to be running full-contact drills, and no helmets were worn.
—Dave Savini, CBS News, 8 Feb. 2026
The appliance company, which makes everything from drills to dishwashers, tapped the Food Network star for Sunday's spot.
—Sarah Whitten,sara Salinas,sarah Jackson,leslie Josephs, CNBC, 8 Feb. 2026
Informed of Alumbaugh’s tales of his superiority in the conditioning drills, Hooper smiled modestly.
—Evan Webeck, Mercury News, 6 Feb. 2026
State media in recent weeks has shown an increase in military drills and preparations.
—Bianna Golodryga, CNN Money, 5 Feb. 2026
Bauer has been a teacher for 25 years, a period that has included a rise of school shootings and the drills that have become common to protect against them.
—Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 26 Jan. 2026
Mike Griffith, AJC.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Every college and pro coach drills the same message into their players’ heads, nothing good happens after midnight.
—Ryan Gaydos , Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 16 Nov. 2025
The state also limited preseason contact drills to six hours total and banned spring and summer practices.
—Alana Semuels, Time, 20 Oct. 2025
If New England drills the Dolphins, head coach Mike McDaniel might not make it to Week 3.
—Jon Greenberg, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2025
After sitting out of Saturday’s team drills with arm soreness, Sanders was a full participant at Monday’s practice, but Flacco took all of the first-team reps during the 11-on-11 portion, according to ESPN.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 4 Aug. 2025
Noun
University of Arkansas men's basketball Coach John Calipari has ceased box-out drills.
—Matt Byrne, Arkansas Online, 9 Feb. 2026
After the game, The Athletic observed Carvajal out on the pitch going through some post-match drills with physical trainer Antonio Pintus.
—Mario Cortegana, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2026
He could be heard often on Saturday screaming encouragement to the middle school group during one-on-one drills.
—Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Feb. 2026
The team was not supposed to be running full-contact drills, and no helmets were worn.
—Dave Savini, CBS News, 8 Feb. 2026
The appliance company, which makes everything from drills to dishwashers, tapped the Food Network star for Sunday's spot.
—Sarah Whitten,sara Salinas,sarah Jackson,leslie Josephs, CNBC, 8 Feb. 2026
Informed of Alumbaugh’s tales of his superiority in the conditioning drills, Hooper smiled modestly.
—Evan Webeck, Mercury News, 6 Feb. 2026
State media in recent weeks has shown an increase in military drills and preparations.
—Bianna Golodryga, CNN Money, 5 Feb. 2026
Bauer has been a teacher for 25 years, a period that has included a rise of school shootings and the drills that have become common to protect against them.
—Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 26 Jan. 2026
Verb
Everette, who with punter Brett Thorson and long snapper Beau Gardner are the former Bulldogs competing in Senior Bowl drills this week, is adjusting to life after Georgia football.
—Mike Griffith, AJC.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Every college and pro coach drills the same message into their players’ heads, nothing good happens after midnight.
—Ryan Gaydos , Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 16 Nov. 2025
The state also limited preseason contact drills to six hours total and banned spring and summer practices.
—Alana Semuels, Time, 20 Oct. 2025
If New England drills the Dolphins, head coach Mike McDaniel might not make it to Week 3.
—Jon Greenberg, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2025
After sitting out of Saturday’s team drills with arm soreness, Sanders was a full participant at Monday’s practice, but Flacco took all of the first-team reps during the 11-on-11 portion, according to ESPN.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 4 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for drills
Noun
-
Figure skaters close their eyes and go through their routines.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Feb. 2026
-
This music-heavy YouTube series encourages kids to get moving with original songs and dance routines.—
Kara Nesvig,
Parents,
14 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Both exercises work the muscles of the lower body—namely, the glutes, quadriceps, hamstrings, calves, hip stabilizers, and core, Higgins said.—
Stephanie Anderson Witmer,
Health,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Venditti’s practice involves extensive on-the-ground scouting for even the smallest roles, an intense interview process, and improv exercises to get the first-timers comfortable.—
Nate Jones,
Vulture,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Don’t put corn husks, coffee grinds, onion peels, peach pits, eggshells, bones, vegetable peels, meat scraps, grease and large amounts of pasta down the drain.—
Jessica Elliott,
Dallas Morning News,
10 Feb. 2026
-
This is because the amount of coffee that can fit in a volumetric measuring tool like a tablespoon can vary with different grinds.—
Noah Kaufman,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Her practices all week, Glenn said, have been great.—
Brittany Ghiroli,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Beyond the number of cillíní and burial sites uncovered, the practices surrounding these unconsecrated grounds reveal a complex emotional landscape marked by grief, shame, and trauma, according to the press release.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
8 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Drills.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drills. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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