Thesaurus results for MEANDER

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

meander 1 of 2

verb

Definition of meander next

as in to wander

to move about from place to place aimlessly theatergoers meandering around the lobby waiting for the play to start

Synonyms & Similar Words

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meander

2 of 2

noun

as in tangle

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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

She’s equally given to long, sometimes meandering stories and profoundly succinct expressions of complex ideas. —

Jillian Steinhauer, Vulture, 13 Dec. 2024 Part of a trilogy by the prolific Scottish author and political figure, the novel is set in the nineteenth century and, unlike the film, is meandering, irritatingly twee, and wearyingly long. —

Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 4 Dec. 2024

Noun

Almost without thought, visitors are compelled to take a seat the same way water bends at a meander. —

Katherine McLaughlin, Architectural Digest, 30 Sep. 2024 Deer meander through the landscape, eating a bite of tender foliage, a flower or two, and another bite of foliage a few steps later. —

Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for meander

Recent Examples of Synonyms for meander

Verb

After years of wandering through the desert, Texas finally got this right.

Blake Toppmeyer, The Tennessean, 20 Dec. 2024
Visitors are invited to park their cars and wander up the driveway to see cartoon characters and creatures heralding festive cheer.

Patrick Connolly, Orlando Sentinel, 19 Dec. 2024