drift 1 of 2

drift

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noun

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
The Mandalay fire caused heavy, drifting smoke, which prompted 911 calls from concerned residents, the Riverside Fire Department said on Facebook. Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2025 Detective Hwang Jun-ho’s (Wi Ha-jun) procedural-like quest to follow Gi-hun back to the island, in hopes of shutting down the abhorrent competition and confronting his brother the Front Man, dominated the first two episodes; once the games began, Jun-ho and his crew mostly drifted around, lost. Judy Berman, Time, 27 June 2025
Noun
Chicago’s 10 largest snowfalls since 1886 — and how the Tribune covered them Chicago’s 10 largest blizzards come with deep drifts of uniquely Chicago stories. Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 16 June 2025 Hubble's data points to a slow inward drift of dust from Uranus' distant irregular moons, which orbit between 2.5 to 13 million miles (4 to 20 million kilometers) from the planet. Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 11 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for drift
Recent Examples of Synonyms for drift
Verb
  • Words of praise flowed over the gathering as she was honored for service and dedication to her congregation and her community.
    Jerry Shnay, Chicago Tribune, 30 June 2025
  • The tears of relief flowed as Ivanisevic climbed up the stadium to embrace his father.
    Tim Ellis, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
Verb
  • Gas prices are hovering near their lowest summer level in four years as millions of people ready themselves to hit the roads over the Fourth of July holiday weekend.
    Max Zahn, ABC News, 3 July 2025
  • When the first pitch of the Texas baseball team's home opener is thrown around 1 p.m. on Friday, temperatures in the Austin area will be hovering around 35 degrees.
    Danny Davis, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
Verb
  • Read a book, breathe deeply or just let your mind wander.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 5 July 2025
  • The shelter added that Captain ended up at Bentonville after a woman found the dog wandering near a road while traveling in Missouri.
    Moná Thomas, People.com, 5 July 2025
Noun
  • Toronto now owns a 6-2 advantage over Boston in the season series, and the Red Sox will look to bounce back and snap their skid on Saturday when Lucas Giolito (3-1, 4.53) takes the mound against Chris Bassitt (7-3, 3.61).
    Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 28 June 2025
  • Warren, a friend and former teammate of his in the Los Angeles Angels system, jogged out to the mound.
    Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 27 June 2025
Noun
  • While the rising tide of corporate sustainability is creating worldwide big wave patterns, JCK and the Kering Group are surfing those waves together.
    Kyle Roderick, Forbes.com, 29 June 2025
  • However, Schaeffer’s fiery response to Freeman’s strikeout clearly turned the tides in his dugout.
    Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 29 June 2025
Noun
  • The clothes gave the sense that Jacobs and his team must have had a ball coming up with these creations.
    Roxanne Robinson, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • Those who can surrender a sense of control and stay curious throughout this new journey will feel the most aligned.
    Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 July 2025
Verb
  • Sci-fi speedboats gliding above the water, backed by a rotating cast of celebrities.
    Kanzah Maktoum, Forbes.com, 7 July 2025
  • But Ontario International Airport came in at No. 15, Hollywood Burbank Airport is at 14, John Wayne Airport landed at No. 12, and Long Beach Airport glided in at No. 2.
    Jim Radcliffe, Oc Register, 27 June 2025
Verb
  • Steve Mnuchin, Trump’s treasury secretary during his first term in office, also floated the idea of purchasing the app with a group of billionaire investors when the ban was first passed.
    Zachary Folk, Forbes.com, 29 June 2025
  • The president floated backing a primary challenger to the North Carolina GOP senator on Saturday after Tillis voted against advancing Trump’s tax and spending cuts bill, which is loaded up with steeper cuts to Medicaid than the House’s version.
    Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 29 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Drift.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://x0upouf933.proxynodejs.usequeue.com/thesaurus/drift. Accessed 12 Jul. 2025.

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