Thesaurus results for ROVE

Q: How does the verb 'rove' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of rove are meander , ramble , roam , traipse , and wander . While all these words mean "to go about from place to place usually without a plan or definite purpose," rove suggests vigorous and sometimes purposeful roaming. // armed brigands roved over the countryside

Q: When is 'meander' a more appropriate choice than 'rove'?

The words meander and rove are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, meander implies a winding or intricate course suggestive of aimless or listless wandering. // the river meanders for miles through rich farmland

Q: Where would 'ramble' be a reasonable alternative to 'rove'?

Although the words ramble and rove have much in common, ramble stresses carelessness and indifference to one's course or objective. // the speaker rambled on without ever coming to the point

Q: When would 'roam' be a good substitute for 'rove'?

The words roam and rove can be used in similar contexts, but roam suggests wandering about freely and often far afield. // liked to roam through the woods

Q: When might 'traipse' be a better fit than 'rove'?

The meanings of traipse and rove largely overlap; however, traipse implies a course that is erratic but may sometimes be purposeful. // traipsed all over town looking for the right dress

Q: In what contexts can 'wander' take the place of 'rove'?

While in some cases nearly identical to rove , wander implies an absence of or an indifference to a fixed course. // fond of wandering about the square just watching the people

rove

verb

ˈrōv

Definition of rove next

as in to roam

to move about from place to place aimlessly buffalo roving over the vast plains

Synonyms & Similar Words

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How does the verb rove contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of rove are meander, ramble, roam, traipse, and wander. While all these words mean "to go about from place to place usually without a plan or definite purpose," rove suggests vigorous and sometimes purposeful roaming.

armed brigands roved over the countryside

When is meander a more appropriate choice than rove?

The words meander and rove are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, meander implies a winding or intricate course suggestive of aimless or listless wandering.

the river meanders for miles through rich farmland

Where would ramble be a reasonable alternative to rove?

Although the words ramble and rove have much in common, ramble stresses carelessness and indifference to one's course or objective.

the speaker rambled on without ever coming to the point

When would roam be a good substitute for rove?

The words roam and rove can be used in similar contexts, but roam suggests wandering about freely and often far afield.

liked to roam through the woods

When might traipse be a better fit than rove?

The meanings of traipse and rove largely overlap; however, traipse implies a course that is erratic but may sometimes be purposeful.

traipsed all over town looking for the right dress

In what contexts can wander take the place of rove?

While in some cases nearly identical to rove, wander implies an absence of or an indifference to a fixed course.

fond of wandering about the square just watching the people

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 rove Democrats are demanding changes to immigration enforcement operations, including requiring ICE agents to wear body cameras, remove face coverings and end roving patrols. —

Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 4 Feb. 2026 Soon roving bands of local armed paramilitary men began to grab Jews off the street where they were taken to detention and then disappeared. —

Dr. Michael Good, Hartford Courant, 3 Feb. 2026 End roving Immigration and Customs Enforcement patrols, enforce measures to hold rogue operations to account and have agents remove masks and wear body cameras. —

David Lightman, Sacbee.com, 30 Jan. 2026 In contrast, in Mayor Cavalier Johnson's view, the federal immigration crackdown in Minneapolis makes the public less safe, pointing to the killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti and the groups of roving agents making daily arrests. —

Hope Karnopp, jsonline.com, 30 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for rove

Recent Examples of Synonyms for rove

Verb

Luke Skywalker will roam Black Spire Outpost seeking knowledge of the Force and kyber crystals that power lightsabers.

— Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 5 Feb. 2026
Rock iguanas once roamed freely across the islands of Turks and Caicos.

— Madeline Weinfield, Travel + Leisure, 5 Feb. 2026

Definition of roam

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routs (out)

rove

roved

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“Rove.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rove. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.

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Last Updated: 12 Feb 2026 - Updated example sentences

Synonyms of rove

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