drifted

verb

past tense of drift
1
as in flowed
to move or proceed smoothly and readily casual conversation drifting from one topic to another

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in hovered
to rest or move along the surface of a liquid or in the air the boat drifted along on the current

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 Reilly two-putted for par, and won the match when Cowan's par putt drifted to the right. — ABC News, 13 Aug. 2026 On Wednesday, Omani authorities said the spill had drifted to reach the mainland, affecting 25 miles (40km) of the Ras Madrakah coastline, more than 124 miles (200km) away from the tanker. — Sarah El Sirgany, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2026 Turkey has diplomatic and military relations with Israel, but the two countries have drifted apart in recent years. — Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 13 Aug. 2026 As the moon drifted past the sun, the first glimpses of the sun began to reveal themselves as the path of totality moved onwards towards Spain. — Anthony Wood, Space.com, 12 Aug. 2026 And while Atlanta still has one of the most expansive urban forests in the country, the new survey finds the city has drifted farther from hitting the mark. — Drew Kann, AJC.com, 10 Aug. 2026 Starz shares, which have more than doubled in 2026 to date, drifted down 2% in pre-market trading. — Dade Hayes, Deadline, 7 Aug. 2026 Byard drifted over, then backward and followed a pass Maye intended to lob over him and high-pointed it for a pick. — Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 6 Aug. 2026 The Athletic is distributing more than sports gossip By the end of the segment, the conversation had drifted well beyond Cunningham. — Dan Zaksheske Outkick, FOXNews.com, 6 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for drifted
  1. flowed
  2. hovered
  3. wandered
  4. sailed
  5. floated
  6. roamed
  7. glided
  8. swam
Verb
  • Both Kpler and Windward showed around five ships – total – exited the Strait of Hormuz on the day Wright said 20 million barrels flowed out of the Arab gulf region.
    — David Goldman, CNN Money, 17 Aug. 2026
  • In Nebraska, millions of federal grant dollars have flowed to a statewide health information exchange nonprofit that has cooperated with the effort.
    — Jennifer D. Oliva, The Conversation, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of flowed
Verb
  • Between 2002 to 2014, sequels hovered somewhere between 20 to 30 percent of the overall annual box office, with a few peaks and valleys in between.
    — Brian Welk, IndieWire, 10 Aug. 2026
  • As temperatures hovered around 80 degrees and few clouds obscured a bright blue sky, many people took the opportunity to enjoy a summer day last week at Montrose Beach.
    — Finnegan Belleau, Chicago Tribune, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of hovered
Verb
  • In both cases, a child that Tyler Boebert was watching wandered away from Congresswoman Boebert’s home, according to 9News.
    — Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 10 Aug. 2026
  • The Hunters and Firebells, who would play the following day, wandered the grounds in full uniform.
    — Jaclyn Licht, NPR, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of wandered
Verb
  • Some guests have sailed their own boats; few would be caught dead on a big ship.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Rutherford sailed past the Nordic countries of Norway and Sweden just a few days ago, and crossed into waters controlled by the Russian government this weekend.
    — Henry Larson, NPR, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of sailed
Verb
  • European leaders have even floated a boycott of FIFA events, while execs behind closed doors are plotting rival tournaments that could leave Infantino on the outside looking in before the next election cycle.
    — Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 11 Aug. 2026
  • The notion that Ellison would exit California if the state AGs sued to block the Paramount-WBD merger was floated in an item last month by Semafor.
    — Todd Spangler, Variety, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of floated
Verb
  • At safety, Kevin Byard roamed all over the secondary, gave up one reception and tallied a would-be sack on a blitz.
    — Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Between canapés and conversations, the Directory members roamed the gallery’s furniture, textiles, and lighting, many conceived as an homage to South Asian craftsmanship reimagined through a Western lens.
    — AD PRO, Architectural Digest, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of roamed
Verb
  • On Thursday afternoon, Shadow glided into the nest with KD1 not far behind, according to Friends of Big Bear Valley, a nonprofit that runs the livestream.
    — Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Jones, in the first major race of his political career, faces a staunch challenge in Thompson, who has held the seat for 30 years and glided into the general election with almost 41% of the vote.
    — Evelyn Ronan, Sacbee.com, 22 July 2026
Definition of glided
Verb
  • During an altercation between the occupants of the boats, Simpson swam to the air compressor and turned it off, according to an affidavit.
    — Milena Malaver, Sun Sentinel, 5 Aug. 2026
  • Many swam several miles in the Mediterranean to avoid the heavily fortified border fence – leaving 88 people drowned in just 48 hours.
    — Kelsey Norman, The Conversation, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of swam

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drifted
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Cite this Entry

“Drifted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drifted. Accessed 19 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of drifted for Spanish Speakers

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