DRIFTS Synonyms: 170 Similar and Opposite Words

drifts 1 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of drift

as in flows

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

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Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in hovers

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 wanders

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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drifts

2 of 2

noun

plural of drift

as in mounds

a pile or ridge of granular matter (as sand or snow) deep drifts of snow blocked our driveway

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in tides

a prevailing or general movement or inclination the steady drift of the population away from large cities

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as in senses

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

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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 drifts

Verb

Prompt tuning, evaluation maintenance, regression testing when the underlying model updates and content that drifts out of date all require ongoing attention. — Antony P Gregory, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026 As Ari drifts through the gathering, some guests seem to disappear. — Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026 Actor Nakadai Tatsuya provides the Devil’s voice, while the camera drifts across static watercolor paintings under Fukai Kuni’s art direction. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 31 Aug. 2026 The danger, however, lies in whether maximizing the profits on this $12 billion purchase drifts the Lakers closer to a luxurious cliche. — Marcus Thompson Ii, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026 The topic momentarily drifts to Chuck D, who Hanna greatly admires. — Kyle Eustice, SPIN, 18 Aug. 2026 Giulio, a dissatisfied 16-year-old, drifts through life with no enthusiasm for his education or his future, much to his family’s dismay (particularly his endlessly frustrated mother, brilliantly played by Monica Bellucci). — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 17 Aug. 2026 The mortals would rather live in their own delusion than confront the magic that drifts among them. — Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 12 Aug. 2026 Then Kris drifts outside, her face clouding, followed by Billy. — Jp Mangalindan, Time, 10 Aug. 2026

Noun

When every home needs a magazine-worthy renovation and every vacation looks like a luxury resort, our definition of what’s normal drifts upward. — Bydoug Ashburn, Encyclopedia Britannica, 5 Aug. 2026 An air quality advisory has been issued for the San Francisco Bay Area, as smoke from fires burning in the Pacific Northwest drifts into the region. — Tim Fang, CBS News, 4 Aug. 2026 Pay drifts again the moment reviews stop, so the companies actually narrowing the gap are the ones treating it as an ongoing practice, not a box checked once and revisited only when the numbers make headlines. — Kara Dennison, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026 As much as 58 inches of snow fell in some regions, and strong winds up to 80 mph were responsible for large snow drifts -- many over 50 feet tall. — Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 4 July 2026 The scent of fresh sourdough drifts from one room as the aroma of Korean soul food fill the air in another. — Jeff Gritchen, Oc Register, 25 June 2026 Look for compact cultivars with burgundy or deep plum foliage that contrasts with the bright flowers, or a green variety covered in drifts of white blooms. — Steve Bender, Southern Living, 23 June 2026 November 22 – December 21 Morning drifts, evening steadies your stride. — Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 22 June 2026 Sagittarius November 22 – December 21 Morning drifts, evening steadies your stride. — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 22 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for drifts

Verb

They were never designed to change how work flows through a function.

— Emily Lewis-Pinnell, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026
But the Colorado River water that flows there from the canal will not be cut like many nearby cities.

— Alex Hager, NPR, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of flows

Verb

The topic of head injuries and their long-lasting impact on players is a constant conversation that hovers over the NFL.

— Saad Yousuf, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
The average temperature in Pittsburgh from December to February typically hovers between the upper 20s to the mid to upper 30s Fahrenheit, according to the National Centers for Environmental Information.

— Mariyam Muhammad, USA Today, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of hovers

Verb

In one extended sequence, Delaney just wanders his lonely apartment, the ghost of his wife already haunting the place.

— Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 28 Aug. 2026
Kennedy wanders across the country, picking up a recipe for pozolé de camarón in Jalisco, chuletas de puerco en agridulce (sweet-and-sour pork chops) in Morelia, and chilaquiles en salsa verde from her longtime home state of Michoacán.

— Scott Hocker, TheWeek, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of wanders

Noun

In Humboldt County’s North Spit, near Eureka, tides were 9 inches higher than forecast.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 24 Aug. 2026
The offerings of any decent oyster shucker will change according to the seasons and the tides and the shoals and the shipping lines and the harbor freight and the rush-hour traffic on the interstate.

— Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of tides

Noun

The reign of Republicans during the Civil War and Reconstruction was a democratic breakthrough in two senses.

— Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026
However, human problems appear real according to the information gathered from the five corporeal senses.

— The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of senses

Verb

Viewed through a singular perspective, the camera glides with measured precision, reflecting her focus and quiet intensity.

— Daron James, Los Angeles Times, 12 Aug. 2026
Start your visit with a ride on the Bretton Woods Skyway Gondola, which glides above the treetops to reveal sweeping views of the Presidential Range painted in brilliant shades of crimson, amber and gold.

— Brittany Anas, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026

Definition of glides

Verb

Boaters of all backgrounds will wade into the world of watercraft this weekend as the Orlando Boat Show floats into Central Florida.

— Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Aug. 2026
Lil Uzi Vert floats in and out of the beat, allowing the rhythm to do much of the work and creating a record that feels almost impossible to experience sitting still.

— Brittney Williams, Billboard, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of floats

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drifting

drifts

drill

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Style

“Drifts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drifts. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of drifts

verb

noun

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