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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Recent Examples of drills
Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 29 Mar. 2026
Morgan Cheli participates in open practice Sophomore guard Morgan Cheli was running on the court and participating in shooting drills with the Huskies during their open practice period Friday, marking the first time this season she’s been active during a public practice or game.
—Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 27 Mar. 2026
In Boston, Curry participated in pregame shooting drills for the first time since getting hurt.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 27 Mar. 2026
Roughly 30 Oak Ridge students, who were provided lunch and some team swag by the Magic, got to join Carter on the court for various basketball drills after the ceremony.
—Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Mar. 2026
Ezukanma has also been hard to matchup with during one-on-ones and had a few nice grabs during team drills.
—Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Mar. 2026
The staff has implemented drills that focus on a player’s specific movement or job during various plays.
—Anthony Solorzano, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2026
The redshirt junior was sharp in Thursday's practice, fitting throws into tight windows during team period and seven-on-seven drills.
—Tony Catalina, Austin American Statesman, 26 Mar. 2026
Allen’s testing on the drills were not made available by the university.
—Mike Kaye
march 24, Charlotte Observer, 24 Mar. 2026
Charles Bethea, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026
Skeleton drills with rags hanging from their shorts.
—Nick Canepa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Mar. 2026
Pitchers throw every day in season between competition days, bullpens, flat ground sessions and box drills off of an incline from 35 feet out.
—Shawn McFarland, Dallas Morning News, 20 Mar. 2026
Another Arsenal goal kick and Raya, after a customary bit of stud cleaning, drills the ball long.
—Stuart James, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2026
Wingo and Mosley are both recovering from some nagging injuries suffered during 2025 and haven’t fully participated in offseason team drills.
—Thomas Jones, Austin American Statesman, 23 Feb. 2026
As the First Platoon commander for Gallatin's Navy JROTC , Nathan trains and drills more than 25 junior cadets during the school day and after hours.
—Andy Humbles, Nashville Tennessean, 20 Feb. 2026
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
Noun
However, Barkov began doing individual on-ice drills in January and joined the team for practice sessions in a non-contact jersey in mid-March.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 29 Mar. 2026
Morgan Cheli participates in open practice Sophomore guard Morgan Cheli was running on the court and participating in shooting drills with the Huskies during their open practice period Friday, marking the first time this season she’s been active during a public practice or game.
—Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 27 Mar. 2026
In Boston, Curry participated in pregame shooting drills for the first time since getting hurt.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 27 Mar. 2026
Roughly 30 Oak Ridge students, who were provided lunch and some team swag by the Magic, got to join Carter on the court for various basketball drills after the ceremony.
—Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Mar. 2026
Ezukanma has also been hard to matchup with during one-on-ones and had a few nice grabs during team drills.
—Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Mar. 2026
The staff has implemented drills that focus on a player’s specific movement or job during various plays.
—Anthony Solorzano, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2026
The redshirt junior was sharp in Thursday's practice, fitting throws into tight windows during team period and seven-on-seven drills.
—Tony Catalina, Austin American Statesman, 26 Mar. 2026
Allen’s testing on the drills were not made available by the university.
—Mike Kaye
march 24, Charlotte Observer, 24 Mar. 2026
Verb
The van’s speakers played a high-volume mashup of construction sounds, Jordan Peterson lectures, Marine Corps drills, and mumbling voices.
—Charles Bethea, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026
Skeleton drills with rags hanging from their shorts.
—Nick Canepa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Mar. 2026
Pitchers throw every day in season between competition days, bullpens, flat ground sessions and box drills off of an incline from 35 feet out.
—Shawn McFarland, Dallas Morning News, 20 Mar. 2026
Another Arsenal goal kick and Raya, after a customary bit of stud cleaning, drills the ball long.
—Stuart James, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2026
Wingo and Mosley are both recovering from some nagging injuries suffered during 2025 and haven’t fully participated in offseason team drills.
—Thomas Jones, Austin American Statesman, 23 Feb. 2026
As the First Platoon commander for Gallatin's Navy JROTC , Nathan trains and drills more than 25 junior cadets during the school day and after hours.
—Andy Humbles, Nashville Tennessean, 20 Feb. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for drills
Noun
-
This makes spring an ideal time to reassess your cleaning habits and start new home maintenance routines.—
Alora Bopray,
USA Today,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Brown saw it in the smallest routines at Northwood.—
C.J. Holmes,
New York Daily News,
4 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The learning process involves no textbooks, no exercises, no memorization, no facts.—
Kristen Roupenian,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
-
Blood and urine tests, Breathalyzers and field sobriety exercises, meanwhile, can help show if a driver is under the influence after a crash or traffic violation.—
Doug Turnbull,
AJC.com,
5 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Finish with a few grinds of black pepper and serve.—
Nancy Vienneau,
Southern Living,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Season with 1/4 teaspoon salt and several grinds of fresh pepper.—
Tribune Content Agency,
Baltimore Sun,
4 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
In October, attorneys suing ICE for its arrest practices questioned the now-former head of ICE’s Denver field office about a prior Post analysis of the Berkeley data.—
Seth Klamann,
Denver Post,
6 Apr. 2026
-
Families should consider making a nutritious snack available an hour or so before sports practices so children with that earlier lunch time have energy available to fuel activities.—
Dr. Sarah Kinsella,
Boston Herald,
5 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Drills.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drills. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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