1
as in slugs
a lazy person
those drones just lie around while we do all the work
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in laborers
a person who does very hard or dull work
after lunch my fellow drones and I shuffle back to our cubicles
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in hums
a monotonous sound like that of an insect in motion
heard the drone of an airplane overhead
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in buzzes
to fly, turn, or move rapidly with a fluttering or vibratory sound
the sound of droning bees all around us
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in lounges
to spend time doing nothing
instead of getting a job, he preferred to drone and live off his parents
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of drones
Tim Lister, CNN Money, 4 Apr. 2026
With the ability to carry up to eight Mark I fire-and-forget missiles built by Estonian startup Frankenberg Technologies, it's designed to intercept hostile drones much more cheaply than much more expensive anti-aircraft/missile missile systems.
—David Szondy
april 04, New Atlas, 4 Apr. 2026
Now, a team of researchers has captured one of the most detailed wild sperm whale birth observations ever recorded, using drones, underwater microphones and shipboard photography off the coast of Dominica.
—Samantha Agate, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Apr. 2026
Prior to word of the first service member's rescue, social media footage showed American drones, aircraft and helicopters flying over the mountainous region where a TV channel affiliated with Iranian state television said earlier that at least one pilot bailed out of the fighter jet.
—Arkansas Online, 4 Apr. 2026
Japan has announced plans to raise a fleet of loitering kamikaze drones and low-cost missiles to counter threats from China (and other regional threats).
—Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 4 Apr. 2026
Russia fired 286 drones at Ukraine overnight, 260 of which were downed, the Ukrainian Air Force said in an online statement.
—CBS News, 4 Apr. 2026
Russia fired 286 drones at Ukraine overnight, 260 of which were downed, the Ukrainian air force said in an online statement Saturday.
—Volodymyr Yurchuk, Los Angeles Times, 4 Apr. 2026
Tehran has the ability to reach the island with missiles and drones.
—Anniek Bao, CNBC, 30 Mar. 2026
Noun
Over the past week, Ukrainian drones have struck Russian fuel tanks and ammunition depots some 100 kilometers (65 miles) from the front lines in Luhansk, as well as a Russian air defense system more than 130 kilometers from the region’s border, according to geolocated video.
—Tim Lister, CNN Money, 4 Apr. 2026
With the ability to carry up to eight Mark I fire-and-forget missiles built by Estonian startup Frankenberg Technologies, it's designed to intercept hostile drones much more cheaply than much more expensive anti-aircraft/missile missile systems.
—David Szondy
april 04, New Atlas, 4 Apr. 2026
Now, a team of researchers has captured one of the most detailed wild sperm whale birth observations ever recorded, using drones, underwater microphones and shipboard photography off the coast of Dominica.
—Samantha Agate, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Apr. 2026
Prior to word of the first service member's rescue, social media footage showed American drones, aircraft and helicopters flying over the mountainous region where a TV channel affiliated with Iranian state television said earlier that at least one pilot bailed out of the fighter jet.
—Arkansas Online, 4 Apr. 2026
Japan has announced plans to raise a fleet of loitering kamikaze drones and low-cost missiles to counter threats from China (and other regional threats).
—Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 4 Apr. 2026
Russia fired 286 drones at Ukraine overnight, 260 of which were downed, the Ukrainian Air Force said in an online statement.
—CBS News, 4 Apr. 2026
Russia fired 286 drones at Ukraine overnight, 260 of which were downed, the Ukrainian air force said in an online statement Saturday.
—Volodymyr Yurchuk, Los Angeles Times, 4 Apr. 2026
Tehran has the ability to reach the island with missiles and drones.
—Anniek Bao, CNBC, 30 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for drones
Verb
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Your neighbor might rely on an oxygen concentrator to breathe – a machine the size of a carry-on bag that hums quietly through the night.—
Katherine Asmussen,
The Conversation,
18 Mar. 2026
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The group hums in agreement, offering dispatches from their own lives about thorny friendships.—
Maddie Connors,
Los Angeles Times,
2 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Amid the population boom, Folsom buzzes with a new vibrancy, as its historic Gold Rush-era downtown is thriving and its surrounding lakes and trails offer plenty of outdoor recreation — and the secret’s getting out.—
Kate Bradshaw,
Mercury News,
30 Mar. 2026
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As the pensive Moon wanders into your vocal 3rd house, your mind buzzes with activity.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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But the few times they’re forced to play their hurt feelings sincerely are as forced as the moment when Grace zips her gory wedding gown back on before it’s even been washed.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Mar. 2026
-
As of now, the areas with the greatest threat to see any significant accumulation would be the farthest southeastern parts of our region before the storm zips off to the east.—
Bill Kelly,
CBS News,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Critical thinking really bums them out.—
Ed Masley,
AZCentral.com,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Then Jason and Thor shower together, each lathering the other’s back and bums up with fewer orgasms than an old Herbal Essences commercial.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Hsu plays Joy, a morose daughter of two Chinese immigrants.—
Rachel Syme,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
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When the Heat plays Herro and Powell together, Miami has been outscored by 26 points in 249 minutes this season.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The current crisis in Iran has sent memories bubbling to the surface for the collective, and chills down the spines of viewers.—
Chloe Shrager,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Mar. 2026
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Uncertainty chills the market TOPSHOT - Smoke rises from the direction of an energy installation in the Gulf emirate of Fujairah on March 14, 2026.—
Greg Iacurci,
CNBC,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The project has dragged on for four years, and Belinda Hernandez-Arriaga, founder of a farmworker advocacy group called ALAS, said the problem at 555 Kelly rests at the local level.—
John Ramos,
CBS News,
30 Mar. 2026
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And America’s constitutional system, unlike Russia’s, rests on consent of the governed.—
Jason Willick,
Washington Post,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Nicole Kidman exits the theater on her phone and wanders into a side room; Jessie Buckley strolls out of the theater talking about snacks.—
Rachel Handler,
Vulture,
16 Mar. 2026
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Springtime strolls in these cities are simply unparalleled, thanks to their botanical splendor.—
Jessica Sulima,
Condé Nast Traveler,
25 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Drones.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drones. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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