1
as in nonsense
language, behavior, or ideas that are absurd and contrary to good sense
that critic's reviews are nothing but self-important drivel
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in babble
unintelligible or meaningless talk
my roommate talks in her sleep, but it's just drivel
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
2
as in to chatter
to speak rapidly, inarticulately, and usually unintelligibly
he driveled on about his "distinguished" family for what seemed like hours
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of drivel
Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 28 Jan. 2026
High-profile right-wing accounts that previously served as yes-men for Musk—such as Ian Miles Cheong, a Malaysian who purportedly lives in the United Arab Emirates and posts incessant, racist drivel about American politics—have melted down over the platform’s decision to dox users.
—Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 24 Nov. 2025
Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 19 Dec. 2023
Gretchen Bender superimposes potent phrases or ideas onto television screens blaring out the usual stream of nonsense, drivel and enticement.
—Philip Kennicott, Washington Post, 6 Apr. 2023
See All Example Sentences for drivel
Noun
Many of the most popular sports pundits cast off analytics as superfluous nerd drivel.
—Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 28 Jan. 2026
High-profile right-wing accounts that previously served as yes-men for Musk—such as Ian Miles Cheong, a Malaysian who purportedly lives in the United Arab Emirates and posts incessant, racist drivel about American politics—have melted down over the platform’s decision to dox users.
—Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 24 Nov. 2025
Verb
Our campuses are a mess — citadels of conformism and drivel.
—Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 19 Dec. 2023
Gretchen Bender superimposes potent phrases or ideas onto television screens blaring out the usual stream of nonsense, drivel and enticement.
—Philip Kennicott, Washington Post, 6 Apr. 2023
See All Example Sentences for drivel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for drivel
Noun
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Actor James Tolkan, who was Tom Cruise’s no-nonsense commander in Top Gun and Marty McFly’s even less-nonsense Vice Principal in the Back to the Future films, has died.—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
28 Mar. 2026
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The notion of characterizing such a move as anything more than penalizing the public — which is finally balking at more taxation — is nonsense.—
U T Readers,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
28 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The film almost completely drops any and all scientific babble from the book in favor of character development, action sequences, and emotional gut punches.—
Matthew Razak,
Space.com,
23 Mar. 2026
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Read a book and sip tea in front of the central fireplace, swim between the indoor and outdoor sections of the glimmering pool, and soak your aching quads in the hot tubs under the evergreens and aspens while listening to the peaceful babble of Gore Creek.—
Sarah Kuta,
Condé Nast Traveler,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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These plants contain cardiac glycosides, which can cause unpleasant symptoms for dogs and cats alike, such as drooling, diarrhea, abdominal pain, abnormal heart rhythm, and even some neurologic signs.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
24 Mar. 2026
-
Chewing on the bulbs can cause severe vomiting and diarrhea, profuse drooling and burns to the mouth.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Miami Herald,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Hardcore Survivor fans love to discuss and debate the intricacies of the game and their favorite seasons and winners in the same way that sports fans enjoy chattering nonstop about their teams.—
Dalton Ross,
Entertainment Weekly,
25 Feb. 2026
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This is the shelter’s busiest season, making for the film’s most vibrant, chattering section, and Hélène adapts well to the rhythm and volume of whatever company rolls in, while occasionally retreating to the woods for some respite.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
22 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Down where the Pigeons toiled, two-foot piles of garbage cluttered blocks lined with storage-unit facilities, budget hotels, abandoned RVs and parking lots sealed with rusted razor wire.—
TIM CRAIG THE WASHINGTON POST,
Arkansas Online,
5 Apr. 2026
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Her body was found wrapped in blankets and garbage bags in the bed of a second-story room.—
Angie DiMichele,
Sun Sentinel,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The bizarre reality of daily life in a Southeast Asian scam compound—the tactics, the tone, the mix of cruelty and upbeat corporate prattle—is revealed at an unprecedented level of resolution in a leak of documents to WIRED from a whistleblower inside one such sprawling fraud operation.—
Andy Greenberg,
Wired News,
27 Jan. 2026
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Trump prattles on about the economy while the actors freeze behind him in their ancient Galilee garb.—
Rosa Escandon,
Forbes.com,
13 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Nafisa allegedly spat on someone, believed to be a Frontier employee, per Local 10, as she was being taken off the plane.—
Latoya Gayle,
PEOPLE,
31 Mar. 2026
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The Portuguese princess who could go from spitting 16s with Swollen Members to dropping ‘Maneater’ and ‘Promiscuous’ with Timbaland.—
Jon Blistein,
Rolling Stone,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
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While chatting during a recent visit, my niece stood next to a chair and put one foot on the seat.—
Jacobina Martin,
Washington Post,
1 Apr. 2026
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And don't forget to join the Bake Club Group chat over on Substack.—
Shilpa Uskokovic,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
1 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Drivel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drivel. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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