wander 1 of 2

verb

ˈwän-dər How to pronounce wander (audio)
Definition of wandernext
1
as in to roam
to move about from place to place aimlessly we just went outside and wandered around until it was time to go

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in to trespass
to commit an offense we have all wandered from the path of righteousness at least once in our lives

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

wander

2 of 2

noun

as in stroll
a relaxed journey on foot for exercise or pleasure a wander through the woods

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb wander contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of wander are meander, ramble, roam, rove, and traipse. While all these words mean "to go about from place to place usually without a plan or definite purpose," wander implies an absence of or an indifference to a fixed course.

fond of wandering about the square just watching the people

When might meander be a better fit than wander?

The words meander and wander 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

When is ramble a more appropriate choice than wander?

The meanings of ramble and wander largely overlap; however, 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 wander?

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

liked to roam through the woods

When can rove be used instead of wander?

While in some cases nearly identical to wander, rove suggests vigorous and sometimes purposeful roaming.

armed brigands roved over the countryside

In what contexts can traipse take the place of wander?

The synonyms traipse and wander are sometimes interchangeable, but traipse implies a course that is erratic but may sometimes be purposeful.

traipsed all over town looking for the right dress

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 wander
Verb
Cops said the scene indicated Guthrie did not just wander off and leave voluntarily. —Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 8 Feb. 2026 But the legislation kept that data hidden from public view, so agencies can hire wandering cops in secret – and small-town budgets create a powerful incentive to do so. —Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 7 Feb. 2026
Noun
Brielle, Karri, and Nunu wander among the limestone outcrops and sandstone spires. —Elaina Patton, IndieWire, 15 Dec. 2025 Start with some Olympic history at Utah Olympic Park, host site of the 2002 Games (and slated to host the 2034 Games), and then take a wander through the George Eccles Salt Lake 2002 Olympic Winter Games Museum. —Outside, 25 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for wander
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wander
  1. roam
  2. trespass
  3. stroll
  4. drift
  5. fall
  6. walk
  7. stray
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
Verb
  • Elizabeth and her family are attending as guests and Michael is caught trespassing.
    — Rebecca Angel Baer, Southern Living, 29 Jan. 2026
  • Don't protest and don't trespass.
    — Anna Schecter, CBS News, 28 Jan. 2026
Definition of trespass
Noun
  • Others out for a stroll shared similar strategies.
    — Eva Andersen, CBS News, 9 Feb. 2026
  • Stone floors with subfloor heating made for a comfortable stroll to the fireside bathtub, and the Italian marble walls didn't hurt either.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Feb. 2026
Definition of stroll
Verb
  • Snowflakes drift down like tiny nets, moving slowly and exposing lots of surface area, gathering more pollutants than fast-falling raindrops.
    — Isabel Lopez, Parents, 11 Feb. 2026
  • There will be debates over whether the games have drifted too far from the original Olympian model and whether some, less-popular sports should be discarded in favor of more crowd-pleasing competitions.
    — Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 Feb. 2026
Definition of drift
Verb
  • Council members had long pledged to quell gang violence and improve life for Haiti but fell overwhelmingly short.
    — EVENS SANON, Arkansas Online, 8 Feb. 2026
  • Short video and artificial intelligence video generation company Kuaishou fell by 11% during the same time period.
    — Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 8 Feb. 2026
Definition of fall
Noun
  • Conveniently located in San Polo (a five-minute walk from Rialto, with a vaporetto stop nearby), this two-bedroom can sleep up to six and is brimming with character.
    — Elly Leavitt, Vogue, 9 Feb. 2026
  • For example, incorporate physical activity, like a walk or a fitness class, into time spent with friends.
    — Stephanie Anderson Witmer, Health, 9 Feb. 2026
Definition of walk
Verb
  • Cornyn was quick to respond, reposting remarks from Jonah Wendt, communication director for former Vice President Mike Pence’s Advancing American Freedom, implicitly accusing TPUSA of straying from its founder’s vision with the endorsement.
    — Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 10 Feb. 2026
  • Religious concepts like original sin remind us that people stray from the path of goodness as part of human nature.
    — Tara Sonenshine, Baltimore Sun, 9 Feb. 2026
Definition of stray

Browse Nearby Words

wan
wander
wandered
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Cite this Entry

“Wander.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wander. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on wander

Nglish: Translation of wander for Spanish Speakers

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