drift 1 of 2

verb

Definition of driftnext
1
as in to flow
to move or proceed smoothly and readily casual conversation drifting from one topic to another

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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

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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

drift

2 of 2

noun

ˈdrift How to pronounce drift (audio)
1
as in mound
a pile or ridge of granular matter (as sand or snow) deep drifts of snow blocked our driveway

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2
as in tide
a prevailing or general movement or inclination the steady drift of the population away from large cities

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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

Synonym Chooser

How is the word drift different from other nouns like it?

Some common synonyms of drift are current, tendency, tenor, and trend. While all these words mean "movement in a particular direction," drift may apply to a tendency determined by external forces, or it may apply to an underlying or obscure trend of meaning or discourse.

the drift of the population away from large cities
got the drift of her argument

When could current be used to replace drift?

The words current and drift can be used in similar contexts, but current implies a clearly defined but not necessarily unalterable course.

an encounter that changed the current of my life

When would tendency be a good substitute for drift?

The words tendency and drift are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, tendency implies an inclination sometimes amounting to an impelling force.

a general tendency toward inflation

Where would tenor be a reasonable alternative to drift?

Although the words tenor and drift have much in common, tenor stresses a clearly perceptible direction and a continuous, undeviating course.

the tenor of the times

When can trend be used instead of drift?

The synonyms trend and drift are sometimes interchangeable, but trend applies to the general direction maintained by a winding or irregular course.

the long-term trend of the stock market is upward

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
Verb
But that neutrality has lately drifted into a gentle posture of acceptance, like a one-armed hug. —Daniel Engber, The Atlantic, 7 Mar. 2025 Peace and quiet is required as the moon drifts through Cancer. —USA TODAY, 7 Mar. 2025
Noun
Pregnant female polar bears typically build their dens in snow drifts on land or sea ice around October or November. —Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 Feb. 2025 Anglers fishing for trout drift in small craft on the lake’s deeper waters. —Joseph O’Neill, The New Yorker, 23 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for drift
Recent Examples of Synonyms for drift
  1. flow
  2. hover
  3. wander
  4. mound
  5. tide
  6. sense
  7. glide
  8. float
Verb
  • Conversation flowed into dinner, where the crowd discovered another accessory waiting for them: a luggage tag, ready for the next trip.
    — Kristen Tauer, WWD, 14 Mar. 2025
  • On the first floor, the chef’s kitchen with Wolf and Sub-Zero appliances flows into the dining room.
    — Tori Latham, Robb Report, 13 Mar. 2025
Definition of flow
Verb
  • The price of bitcoin was last hovering flat at $88,949.16, according to Coin Metrics.
    — Tanaya Macheel, CNBC, 7 Mar. 2025
  • Preferring to take her chances solo, in the outside world, rather than go with Helena Eagan (Britt Lower) to meet with the board, Harmony’s whereabouts — and loyalties — have been a major question mark hovering over Season 2’s steadily escalating events.
    — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 7 Mar. 2025
Definition of hover
Verb
  • For nonmembers, who can enter at 9 a.m., the event represents a great time to wander the gardens, buy plants and seek inspiration from gardening experts.
    — Patrick Connolly, Orlando Sentinel, 6 Mar. 2025
  • Let your mind wander over the prompts without judging what comes up.
    — Jodie Cook, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025
Definition of wander
Noun
  • But after months of hard work, John returned to the mound on April 16, 1976.
    — Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2025
  • Now Cole wants more than just a return to the mound.
    — Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 11 Mar. 2025
Definition of mound
Noun
  • That shifting of tides can feel unsettling for team members without clear communication.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025
  • Changed by the tides of history, the streets are unrecognizable.
    — Addie Morfoot, Variety, 11 Mar. 2025
Definition of tide
Noun
  • Migraine With Aura About 25% of people with migraines experience an aura, a temporary, reversible change in their senses.
    — Janelle McSwiggin, MSN, Health, 17 Mar. 2025
  • Rather than surprising the audience with the plane crash that sets off Death’s design, each iteration of the script opens with a sense of foreboding that something is wrong.
    — Todd Gilchrist, Variety, 17 Mar. 2025
Definition of sense
Verb
  • Where Mio’s dragon spews acid that melts metal and can glide great distances, Zoe’s can curl into a ball and use momentum to move or break objects and certain parts of the environment.
    — Kyle Wilson, Rolling Stone, 4 Mar. 2025
  • The back features a slip-on design that your foot can glide into, with no need to untie (or retie) laces .
    — Rylee Johnston, Travel + Leisure, 3 Mar. 2025
Definition of glide
Verb
  • President Donald Trump has floated proposals such as privatization and folding the USPS into the Commerce Department.
    — Eric Cortellessa, TIME, 13 Mar. 2025
  • Trump again floats higher tariff rate Trump defended his aggressive use of tariffs in remarks Tuesday to business leaders in Washington – and suggested higher tariffs could be on the way.
    — Joey Garrison, USA TODAY, 12 Mar. 2025
Definition of float

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Cite this Entry

“Drift.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drift. Accessed 22 Mar. 2025.

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