wander 1 of 2

verb

ˈwän-dər How to pronounce wander (audio)
Definition of wandernext
1
as in to roam
to move about from place to place aimlessly we just went outside and wandered around until it was time to go

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in to trespass
to commit an offense we have all wandered from the path of righteousness at least once in our lives

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

wander

2 of 2

noun

as in stroll
a relaxed journey on foot for exercise or pleasure a wander through the woods

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb wander contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of wander are meander, ramble, roam, rove, and traipse. While all these words mean "to go about from place to place usually without a plan or definite purpose," wander implies an absence of or an indifference to a fixed course.

fond of wandering about the square just watching the people

When might meander be a better fit than wander?

The words meander and wander 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

When is ramble a more appropriate choice than wander?

The meanings of ramble and wander largely overlap; however, 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 wander?

The words roam and wander can be used in similar contexts, but roam suggests wandering about freely and often far afield.

liked to roam through the woods

When can rove be used instead of wander?

While in some cases nearly identical to wander, rove suggests vigorous and sometimes purposeful roaming.

armed brigands roved over the countryside

In what contexts can traipse take the place of wander?

The synonyms traipse and wander are sometimes interchangeable, but traipse implies a course that is erratic but may sometimes be purposeful.

traipsed all over town looking for the right dress

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 wander
Verb
The update comes on the heels of security footage from Clarkson’s visit to the store being released, showing Clarkson wandering the store for about five minutes, including a rather brief interaction with a shop employee. — James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 14 Oct. 2026 The man, who did not work at the business, began wandering with his dog. — Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Oct. 2026
Noun
When levels are too low, an individual’s attention wanders, motivation declines, and responses become slow. — Julian Hayes Ii, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026 The salad, in McKinnon’s kitchen, wonders and wanders, and the author heeds its inquisitiveness. — Scott Hocker, TheWeek, 6 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for wander
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wander
  1. roam
  2. trespass
  3. stroll
  4. drift
  5. fall
  6. walk
  7. stray
Verb
  • More mature than the party hordes that roam this part of town, the vibe here is the casual elegance that blends drinking rum out of a pineapple while retaining your sophistication while doing it.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Oct. 2026
  • More than 180,000 giant tortoises roaming freely on our atoll is proof of what long-term commitment to conservation can achieve.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of roam
Verb
  • Israel wages war on childhood because a Palestinian child at play is already trespassing upon the future Israel has reserved for itself.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2026
  • The Tohono O’odham Nation said that even if construction were contained to the Roosevelt Reservation, driving onto tribal land to access the area still constitutes trespassing.
    — Mikella Schuettler, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of trespass
Noun
  • The result is a walkable miniature garden built around the experience of the classical garden stroll.
    — Li Jun, Footwear News, 12 Oct. 2026
  • The Rockford Files remains a rerun staple, and online platforms have introduced the show to a new generation, which bodes well for NBC’s latest stroll down memory lane.
    — Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of stroll
Verb
  • The autumn sun is drifting southward and the angle of shadows is shifting.
    — Dana Kelley, Arkansas Online, 16 Oct. 2026
  • His attention drifts towards intimate details – the bare armpit, the small hollow at the base of Rafael’s neck – and the music follows him into this increasingly private, almost obsessive fascination.
    — Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of drift
Verb
  • But the opening period didn’t end without a scary moment, as Antetokounmpo fell hard on his back side after being fouled on a dunk attempt late in the first quarter.
    — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Shares of Oracle fell about 9% amid a broader downturn for stocks of top AI stakeholders.
    — Dade Hayes, Deadline, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of fall
Noun
  • In the bottom of the third, Yamamoto gave up a leadoff single and issued two walks before Yelich came up to the plate with two outs and drove a curveball into center field for two runs.
    — Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026
  • There, a short walk along the waterfront can take you from the Belém Tower to the Monument of Discoveries, and the luscious Vasco da Gama garden.
    — Julia Wytrazek, TheWeek, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of walk
Verb
  • Articles, images, stray clippings, as well as my own painting and drawing end up filling the pages, often conflicting and complementing each other.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Telhou uses primal shouts to keep the herd together, while Saâdia uses a slingshot contraption to skillfully throw stones at straying goats.
    — Jen Murphy, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of stray

Browse Nearby Words

wan
wander
wandered
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Cite this Entry

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

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