1
as in to flow
to move or proceed smoothly and readily
casual conversation drifting from one topic to another
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to hover
to rest or move along the surface of a liquid or in the air
the boat drifted along on the current
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to wander
to move about from place to place aimlessly
spent several years drifting from town to town, picking up odd jobs whenever he needed cash
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
2
as in tide
a prevailing or general movement or inclination
the steady drift of the population away from large cities
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in sense
the idea that is conveyed or intended to be conveyed to the mind by language, symbol, or action
you should expect a visit from the stork, if you get my drift
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 drift
Stephanie Zacharek, TIME, 14 Feb. 2025
Moore is a 6-foot-2 center who can challenge offensively and go directly at players with his skill and skating but can also at times drift to the perimeter.
—Scott Wheeler, The Athletic, 13 Feb. 2025
Rachel Raposas, People.com, 24 Jan. 2025
However, in the midst of this drift, are leaders fostering clarity and connection?
—Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes, 19 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for drift
Verb
Bridget’s old on-again, off-again boss/beau Daniel Cleaver (played by the gloriously incorrigible Hugh Grant) drifts in and out of the story.
—Stephanie Zacharek, TIME, 14 Feb. 2025
Moore is a 6-foot-2 center who can challenge offensively and go directly at players with his skill and skating but can also at times drift to the perimeter.
—Scott Wheeler, The Athletic, 13 Feb. 2025
Noun
Before this, the public got a peek at the pandas — who arrived at the Washington D.C. zoo in October and remained off exhibit — in an adorable video of the pair rolling and sliding through snow drifts in their habitat earlier in the month.
—Rachel Raposas, People.com, 24 Jan. 2025
However, in the midst of this drift, are leaders fostering clarity and connection?
—Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes, 19 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for drift
Recent Examples of Synonyms for drift
Verb
-
Corporate news While investors wait for broad economic signs, company news continued to flow.—
Medora Lee,
USA TODAY,
19 Feb. 2025
-
Videos and photos of the bright orange lava flowing down the mountainside went viral after a group of hikers posted them on social media.—
Billy Stockwell,
CNN,
18 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
These are hovering electric boat planes — known as electric hydrofoil craft — that will be able to dash over the water from Dubai to Abu Dhabi in just half an hour, with services expected from 2027.—
Nicole Kobie,
Forbes,
24 Feb. 2025
-
Photo : Trevor Melton Slatted ceilings hover above the study.—
Demetrius Simms,
Robb Report,
24 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Thirty years earlier, in 1995, on the weekend before Quebec’s second referendum on independence, my family and I went to Montreal to wander the city, to try to sense what Quebeckers were feeling, but mostly just to be there.—
Ken Dryden,
The Atlantic,
23 Feb. 2025
-
Keep an eye out for chachalaca, green jays, Altamira orioles, and the occasional rare avian visitor that wanders in from faraway.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
21 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Now that Alcantara is healthy and back on the mound, he's shown that his arm is doing perfectly fine.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
28 Feb. 2025
-
The pavement has been dug up by the Israeli military’s D-9 bulldozers – mounds of asphalt and dirt piled up on the sides of roads, often pouring into shops and homes.—
Jeremy Diamond,
CNN,
28 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
The ceremony also turned the tide for Conclave, a co-production made with funding from both the United States and the United Kingdom, with Best Film, Outstanding British Film, and Best Adapted Screenplay awards.—
Joey Nolfi,
EW.com,
16 Feb. 2025
-
On the milestone night for Lamberti, Lewandowski helped turn the tide in the third quarter with her pressure defense.—
Paul Johnson,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Not much can be made of the expressions on their faces, but the contorted bodies are sketched to reveal a sense—even evoke a sound—of intermittent agony.—
Emmanuel Iduma,
ARTnews.com,
21 Feb. 2025
-
Bill’s obsession compels Hal to return home, hoping to talk some sense into his brother.—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
21 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Specs: One red light (630 nm) wavelength Best For: Brightening, diminishing dark spots, smoothing fine lines How to Use: Moving in an upward direction, glide the tool across hydrated skin on the jaw, cheeks, neck, forehead, under-eye area, and upper lip.—
Jenny Berg,
Vogue,
22 Feb. 2025
-
And then there are flying squirrels, which don't actually fly, but use the flaps of skin between their legs to glide through the air.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
19 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
There's already a shooting revealed in the Season 3 premiere, with at least one body floating in the water.—
Bryan Alexander,
USA TODAY,
17 Feb. 2025
-
Zion’s still pondering his next move when a body floats by him in the hotel moat.—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
16 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Drift.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drift. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share