1
as in sipping
to swallow in liquid form
the doctor wants her to drink lots of water before the examination
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in boozing
to partake excessively of alcoholic beverages
we're worried that she's started drinking again
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in absorbing
to take in (something liquid) through small openings
the hot surface of the porous rock drank water like a sponge
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 drinking
Middleton also reportedly avoids drinking tap water when travelling overseas because of concerns over bacteria, contaminants or unfamiliar mineral content.
—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
3 July 2026
Middle and upper-class people would have wanted special implements for drinking these beverages and a place to drink it.
—
James Doubek,
NPR,
3 July 2026
Many soccer fans are drinking alcohol and watching the World Cup.
—
ABC News,
3 July 2026
Watch your caffeine intake, when drinking energy drinks that have more caffeine than coffee or tea.
—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
2 July 2026
Set a water bowl wherever the shade lands so drinking and cooling happen in one place.
—
Ryan Brennan,
Miami Herald,
2 July 2026
The Tartan Army finally made it to Fenway, a sort of Loch Ness Monster meeting the Green Monstah, in time to watch the Texas Rangers beat the Red Sox 6-4, apparently drinking the Hub dry.
—
Scott M. Reid,
Oc Register,
26 June 2026
As digital fatigue and a steady drift away from drinking reshape young adult social life, board games are quietly becoming the social ritual of a generation.
—
Hanna Wickes,
Sacbee.com,
24 June 2026
The shift also tracks with post-pandemic loneliness reporting from the New York Times and Gallup data showing young adults are drinking less than previous generations.
—
Hanna Wickes,
Charlotte Observer,
24 June 2026
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
3 July 2026
Middle and upper-class people would have wanted special implements for drinking these beverages and a place to drink it.
—
James Doubek,
NPR,
3 July 2026
Many soccer fans are drinking alcohol and watching the World Cup.
—
ABC News,
3 July 2026
Watch your caffeine intake, when drinking energy drinks that have more caffeine than coffee or tea.
—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
2 July 2026
Set a water bowl wherever the shade lands so drinking and cooling happen in one place.
—
Ryan Brennan,
Miami Herald,
2 July 2026
The Tartan Army finally made it to Fenway, a sort of Loch Ness Monster meeting the Green Monstah, in time to watch the Texas Rangers beat the Red Sox 6-4, apparently drinking the Hub dry.
—
Scott M. Reid,
Oc Register,
26 June 2026
As digital fatigue and a steady drift away from drinking reshape young adult social life, board games are quietly becoming the social ritual of a generation.
—
Hanna Wickes,
Sacbee.com,
24 June 2026
The shift also tracks with post-pandemic loneliness reporting from the New York Times and Gallup data showing young adults are drinking less than previous generations.
—
Hanna Wickes,
Charlotte Observer,
24 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for drinking
Verb
-
Barcenas' tea-sipping celebration was a tribute to Alex Morgan, one of the Wave's owners, who pretended to take a sip of tea after scoring in a match against England during the 2019 Women's World Cup.
-
Bravo is sipping its cuppa and pondering what to do about those interesting ladies across the pond.
Verb
-
Still, Garance’s death stare into the void, where this woman is still hard-boozing 90 minutes into the movie, starts to run its premise thin despite Exarchopoulos’ terrific and totally internalized turn.
-
Ferrara makes no bones about the catastrophic consequences of so much boozing and chasing the dragon on his personal life and finances.
Verb
-
For decades, oceans have acted as the planet’s main heat sink, absorbing 90% of the excess heat produced by humans burning fossil fuels.
-
There was an instance of Pölzl using her body to shield young Adolf and absorbing her husband’s blows.
Verb
-
Others can’t stand the sound of gulping.
-
This viral anti-slip slow feeder lick bowl helps prevent gulping and bloating, while keeping your dogs entertained for longer with a healthy, fun challenge.
Verb
-
Esophagus During a contest, swallowing occurs almost continuously as large amounts of food and water repeatedly stretch the esophagus.
-
Three of the reports stemmed from consumers swallowing the metal pieces and seeking medical treatment to remove them from their digestive tract or throat, the agency said.
Verb
-
Guests who prefer imbibing to detoxing can also book cigar-rolling workshops, wine and rum tastings, and even personalized private dinners in Le Cave, which is the oldest wine cellar in the region and down the stairs from L’Oursin.
-
With Vuckovich on the cusp of his 90th birthday, the seven-decade spread between the pianist and Tang embodies jazz’s crucial generational reach, with young players imbibing essential seasoning via direct contact with veteran masters.
Cite this Entry
“Drinking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drinking. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
