drill 1 of 3

noun

Definition of drillnext
1
as in routine
an established and often automatic or monotonous series of actions followed when engaging in some activity shuttling the kids between extracurricular activities is all part of the suburban drill

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2
as in exercise
something done over and over in order to develop skill doing vocabulary drills all afternoon in preparation for the test

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drill

2 of 3

verb (1)

ˈdril How to pronounce drill (audio)
1
as in to pierce
to make a hole or series of holes in the nerve-jangling sound when a dentist drills a tooth

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to shoot
to strike with a missile from a gun drilled the target from 100 yards away

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drill

3 of 3

verb (2)

as in to plant
to put or set into the ground to grow he drills soybeans in the same rows with corn

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 drill
Noun
That changed last year as the Sean Lewis era debuted, with drills and skills on display as much as scrimmaging in what was dubbed the AztecFAST Showcase. — Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Apr. 2025 At the scene, firefighters removed blocks of broken concrete and sawed planks of wood to use them as levers to lift heavy debris as the noise of drills breaking through concrete filled the air. — Martín Adames Alcántara and Dánica Coto, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2025
Verb
Most involve drilling holes into the stump, filling them with the chemical, and then waiting. — Daniel Scott, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Apr. 2025 Guard Norman Powell drilled his second 3-pointer at the 7:29 mark of the second quarter, setting his new career high for a season (172). — Janis Carr, Oc Register, 5 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for drill
Recent Examples of Synonyms for drill
  1. routine
  2. exercise
  3. grind
  4. practice
  5. training
Noun
  • Some of those lifestyle changes involved optimizing her sleep, ensuring healthy indoor air, incorporating meditation to reduce stress and starting an exercise routine.
    — Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Overall, this low-profile keyboard elevates your routine with practical features that make each keystroke both satisfying and efficient.
    — Shubham Yewale, PC Magazine, 14 Apr. 2025
Definition of routine
Noun
  • Patients with desk jobs are usually back to work within a week or two, but have to abstain from exercise until cleared by their surgeon.
    — Jolene Edgar, Allure, 10 Apr. 2025
  • To help you with that fruitful exercise, here’s my suggestion.
    — Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of exercise
Noun
  • In a small bowl, whisk together the remaining oil, the balsamic vinegar, honey, water, garlic, a pinch of salt and a generous grind of black pepper.
    — Kelly Brant, Arkansas Online, 8 Apr. 2025
  • His expertise in building systems has helped countless entrepreneurs escape the daily grind of their businesses.
    — Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025
Definition of grind
Noun
  • Tariffs are taxes on imports and are intended to reduce the practice.
    — Erik Sherman, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
  • What’s more, some private plastic surgery practices don’t accept insurance anyway, which is another thing to inquire about before a consultation.
    — Nicola Dall'Asen, Allure, 7 Apr. 2025
Definition of practice
Noun
  • To meet the growing demand for nurses, Pennsylvania hospitals are partnering with colleges and universities to expand clinical training capacity, streamline pathways into nursing and develop innovative education models such as hybrid and accelerated programs.
    — Kymberlee Montgomery, The Conversation, 14 Apr. 2025
  • The approach, called knowledge distillation, gets the larger model to effectively pass on its training, like a teacher giving lessons to a student.
    — Stephen Ornes, Wired News, 13 Apr. 2025
Definition of training

Browse Nearby Words

drifts
drill
drilled
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Cite this Entry

“Drill.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drill. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on drill

Nglish: Translation of drill for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about drill

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