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meander

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noun

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb meander contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of meander are ramble, roam, rove, traipse, and wander. While all these words mean "to go about from place to place usually without a plan or definite purpose," meander implies a winding or intricate course suggestive of aimless or listless wandering.

the river meanders for miles through rich farmland

When would ramble be a good substitute for meander?

The words ramble and meander can be used in similar contexts, but ramble stresses carelessness and indifference to one's course or objective.

the speaker rambled on without ever coming to the point

When might roam be a better fit than meander?

The meanings of roam and meander largely overlap; however, roam suggests wandering about freely and often far afield.

liked to roam through the woods

When can rove be used instead of meander?

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

armed brigands roved over the countryside

When is traipse a more appropriate choice than meander?

Although the words traipse and meander have much in common, traipse implies a course that is erratic but may sometimes be purposeful.

traipsed all over town looking for the right dress

When is it sensible to use wander instead of meander?

The synonyms wander and meander are sometimes interchangeable, but wander implies an absence of or an indifference to a fixed course.

fond of wandering about the square just watching the people

Examples 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 meander
Verb
The Context Trump announced his proposal during a meandering news conference at Mar-a-Lago on Tuesday morning. Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 7 Jan. 2025 Critics of the show’s third season called it meandering, confusing, and ultimately not as satisfying its first two seasons. Karen Yuan, Bon Appétit, 18 Dec. 2024
Noun
Normally, the jet stream resembles a real stream, slicing directly across the country with perhaps a few small meanders. Ned Kleiner, Los Angeles Times, 10 Jan. 2025 Energy-intensive enterprises, especially advanced manufacturing, around the upper reaches of the Yellow River, the Hexi Corridor, Yellow River meander, northern Hebei, Songliao, and the lower reaches of the Yellow River especially have opportunities to grow rapidly. Wesley Alexander Hill, Forbes, 7 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for meander 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for meander
Verb
  • Only another party of two had wandered in during our meal.
    Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 18 Jan. 2025
  • Inside, wander through palaces and halls, as well as Musamman Burj, an octagonal tower where Shah Jahan is believed to have been imprisoned by his son.
    Tanvi Chheda, AFAR Media, 17 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • The diplomatic tangle was particularly complicated for Italy, which is a historic ally of Washington but maintains good relations with Tehran.
    Nicole Winfield, Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2025
  • Letting the roast simmer for hours in a mixture of pickled jalapeño brine and fish sauce yields a fall-apart tangle of meat that’s wildly good on soft rolls or over piles of rice.
    Margaux Laskey, New York Times, 30 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • His dribbling ability helps him in tight spaces as well, or when roaming towards the wide areas (as can be seen below).
    The Athletic UK Staff, The Athletic, 24 Jan. 2025
  • With millions of animals roaming our planet, some are rarely spotted by people.
    Stories by Real-Time news team, with AI summarization, Miami Herald, 24 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Number 2, there are going to be snarls along the way.
    Emily Brooks, The Hill, 21 Jan. 2025
  • Early 2021: Shipping snarls and worker shortages from the coronavirus pandemic continue to hurt the supply April 2021: Inflation rates cross 4% and increase rapidly Early 2022: Energy and food prices spike due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
    Trefis Team, Forbes, 15 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Indeed, Jokic strolled to the huddle expressionless after Aaron Gordon embraced him and Ball Arena erupted.
    Bennett Durando, The Denver Post, 24 Jan. 2025
  • Pick up permits to visit or camp in the state park, stroll through a 2-acre desert garden, explore an expansive interpretive exhibit that covers the history, geology, and culture of the surrounding area, or buy a souvenir in the gift shop.
    Pam LeBlanc, Southern Living, 24 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that WATCH Watch the Full Vogue World: London 2023 Show 1/ 12 Watch the Full Vogue World: London 2023 Sho... Vogue World: London Red Carpet Arrivals The Biggest Red Carpet Moments from the 202...
    Vogue, Vogue, 25 Jan. 2025
  • Business TikTok is offline in the U.S. after Supreme Court upholds ban Trump's executive order was enough for Oracle, and other web infrastructure companies, to restore TikTok's services.
    Bobby Allyn, NPR, 25 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • For decades, Earth’s magnetic north pole has been slowly drifting across the Arctic, but recent shifts in its path have caught the attention of scientists—and those who rely on precise navigation systems.
    Ella Jeffries, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 Jan. 2025
  • Ng writes of growing up among these bachelors, who spend their days drifting around the crowded tenements of Chinatown.
    Jane Hu, The New Yorker, 23 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Those familiar with Greek mythology know the story of Icarus, who was gifted a pair of wax wings in order to fly out of the labyrinth where he was imprisoned.
    Aytekin Tank, Forbes, 21 Jan. 2025
  • See it Beneath a bustling city in Peru, an ancient labyrinth stretching thousands of feet has been uncovered, showcasing the architectural prowess of its creators.
    Stories by Real-Time news team, with AI summarization, Miami Herald, 17 Jan. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Meander.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/meander. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.

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