DRIFTED Synonyms: 86 Similar and Opposite Words

drifted

verb

past tense of drift

as in flowed

to move or proceed smoothly and readily casual conversation drifting from one topic to another

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in hovered

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

as in wandered

to move about from place to place aimlessly spent several years drifting from town to town, picking up odd jobs whenever he needed cash

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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 drifted In a statement to CBS Colorado, the FAA said that a safety risk assessment identified incidents in which aircraft drifted toward other planes departing at the same time on parallel runways. — Sarah Horbacewicz, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026 The smoke has drifted as far as the Philippines, more than 800 kilometers (500 miles) away. — ABC News, 16 Oct. 2026 That trend has been personified by Democrats’ performances in Youngstown and Mahoning County as voters drifted toward the Republican Party since 2012. — Naomi Lim, The Washington Examiner, 14 Oct. 2026 The opticals, meaning the fades and shot changes, drifted in and out of focus. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 14 Oct. 2026 Afterward, as more than 750 guests drifted toward their tables—featuring a menu curated by three chefs— Sarah Andelman praised Blazy’s look for Marchand and Louvet. — Tina Isaac-Goizé, Vogue, 12 Oct. 2026 In July, Tropical Storm Bertha formed along the northeastern Gulf Coast and drifted west, parallel to the shore, crossing the tip of Louisiana and ultimately moving inland at the Texas-Louisiana border. — Judson Jones, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2026 The team continuously received the returning light while the airship drifted. — New Atlas, 3 Oct. 2026 After the young widow stepped back behind the black curtains, where scoops of mint chocolate chip in disposable bamboo bowls drifted through a room of donors and White House staffers, the evening moved from celebration to wake. — Clara Molot, Vanity Fair, 29 Sep. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for drifted

Verb

For Iran, the technology that originally flowed to Russia is now returning, along with tactical advice drawn from Russia’s experience in Ukraine.

— Andrea Kendall-Taylor, Foreign Affairs, 16 Oct. 2026
Inflation dropped sharply, deposits flowed back into the banking system, and the economy switched from negative to positive growth with a surge in exports leading the way.

— Steve H. Hanke, Fortune, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of flowed

Verb

However, the unheated pool in Staten Island instead felt bone-chilling in the early May temperatures, which hovered at a low 60 degrees Fahrenheit.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 12 Oct. 2026
The cost of Brent crude, the international standard, has hovered around $99 on Wednesday.

— Frank Andrews, CBS News, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of hovered

Verb

Five burros were killed and a driver was injured when a herd wandered onto the 215 Freeway in 2020.

— Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2026
At one point, McLoughlin even snubbed Sylvester Stallone, another Kennedy Center Honoree who had wandered into the bar.

— Marissa R. Moss, Rolling Stone, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of wandered

Verb

Needing 11 yards on fourth down to continue their drive and cut into a 23-7 Packers lead, Prescott narrowly avoided a sack before lofting a pass that sailed out the back of the end zone, not close to any particular Cowboys receiver.

— Andrew Greif, NBC news, 19 Oct. 2026
Yet Lord Archer of Weston-super-Mare – senior Tory politician, former athlete, bestselling novelist and bon viveur – simply sailed on.

— The Week UK, TheWeek, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of sailed

Verb

Zacharia was not as well known to the press corps compared to other candidates whose names were floated for press secretary following the departure of Karoline Leavitt in August.

— Ted Johnson, Deadline, 13 Oct. 2026
Brandon Jones floated to his right, then realized what was happening a quarter of a football field away.

— Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of floated

Verb

Anti-drone netting is draped over streets where children once roamed freely.

— Scott Peterson, Christian Science Monitor, 7 Oct. 2026
Officials hope to repopulate vulnerable species Giant pandas once roamed vast swaths of China, northern Myanmar and Vietnam, but their habitats shrank due to human encroachment and climate change.

— Eduardo Cuevas, CNN Money, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of roamed

Verb

The pinkish squid glided two miles beneath the surface, its long, pale legs trailing from undulating fins, stunning scientists who know remarkably little about its diet, behavior or reproduction.

— Fedor Zarkhin, Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2026
Merino glided away from challenges to keep Arsenal in control.

— Thom Harris, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of glided

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“Drifted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drifted. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of drifted

verb

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