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

Relevance

Synonym Chooser

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

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 rove But his writing roved among genres, subjects, and moods—from recipes and food writing to fiction, memoir, and reportage—often all mixed together in a single piece. —

Alexis Okeowo, The New Yorker, 30 Oct. 2024 The roving piece of artwork recently turned up in Detroit, the third swing state with a close battle in the presidential race on its tour. —

Alex Perry, The Enquirer, 12 Oct. 2024 Shocking new footage captured the moment a roving band of teens and two city housing authority workers allegedly beat former New York Gov. David Paterson and his stepson in the Big Apple. —

Christina Coulter, Fox News, 11 Oct. 2024 In some ways, the move emulates one made at ABC News that set up Diane Sawyer as a sort of roving correspondent who could take on stories and interviews that made news on their own, but weren’t necessarily tied to the immediate news cycle. —

Brian Steinberg, Variety, 30 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for rove

Recent Examples of Synonyms for rove

Verb

Most of the dogs love roaming around by themselves, but there's no doubt which breed likes to be around the staff at all times.

Alyce Collins, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
The story unfolds in a single spot from a single camera position, from dinosaurs roaming the ground where a home is later constructed and where families spend decades of their lives.

Carolyn Giardina, Variety, 2 Nov. 2024