DRILL Synonyms: 121 Similar and Opposite Words

drill 1 of 3

noun

Definition of drill

as in routine

an established and often automatic or monotonous series of actions followed when engaging in some activity shuttling the kids between extracurricular activities is all part of the suburban drill

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in exercise

something done over and over in order to develop skill doing vocabulary drills all afternoon in preparation for the test

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drill

2 of 3

verb (1)

ˈdril

as in to pierce

to make a hole or series of holes in the nerve-jangling sound when a dentist drills a tooth

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to shoot

to strike with a missile from a gun drilled the target from 100 yards away

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drill

3 of 3

verb (2)

as in to plant

to put or set into the ground to grow he drills soybeans in the same rows with corn

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 drill

Noun

As Variety has noted in an extensive drill-down on the city’s film scene, Recife boasted a vibrant silent cinema movement in the 1920s. — Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 7 Aug. 2026 Tight end Greg Dulcich was again in a red, wearing ano-contact jersey at Friday drills. — David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 7 Aug. 2026

Verb

With Bosa yet to practice in team drills all camp and sidelined the past week with knee tendinitis amid his ACL comeback, the 49ers need to accelerate Height’s participation. — Cam Inman, Mercury News, 13 Aug. 2026 After the Notre Dame Cathedral fire in Paris in 2019, researchers drilled cores through the limestone vaults and mapped exactly where the heat stopped. — Giorgia Giardina, The Conversation, 13 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for drill

Recent Examples of Synonyms for drill

Noun

As the school year started and drivers tiptoed into new routines or back into old ones a couple of theoretical bear traps snapped down this past Tuesday in Cobb County.

— Doug Turnbull, AJC.com, 9 Aug. 2026
Choose from energizing citrus, cooling eucalyptus and peppermint, calming lavender or a variety pack with five different scents – an easy way to add a little luxury to your daily routine.

— ABC News, ABC News, 8 Aug. 2026

Definition of routine

Noun

If several hours of television or scrolling through social media are taking the place of exercise, in-person social interactions, reading or other mentally stimulating activities, that’s not ideal for brain health.

— Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026
Rivera showed strong power and artistry in her exercise, but struggled with endurance on her final tumbling pass.

— Caroline Price, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2026

Definition of exercise

Verb

More than 180 bullets pierced, cracked or shattered windows in six buildings on campus.

— Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2026
Juanita, also a grandmother, died of her injuries, while Jessica suffered several fractured ribs, one of which pierced her lungs, the lawsuit states.

— John Annese, New York Daily News, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of pierce

Verb

The message was about taking care of one another — a seed Dyer has worked hard to plant and grow since leaving his electrical engineering career more than a decade ago to become a Presbyterian minister.

— Heidi Stevens, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2026
Wilson’s draft night peers await The Bulls rookie planted his flag some time ago.

— Joel Lorenzi, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of plant

Noun

And while the Falcons were forced to head to their buses sooner than anticipated, their hour-plus practice brought multiple explosive plays from running back Bijan Robinson and another glimpse at key position battles.

— Daniel Flick, AJC.com, 9 Aug. 2026
But Nussmeier’s success on the practice fields of Missouri Western State, the Chiefs’ training camp site, doesn’t hold a candle to the NFL stage.

— Christian Marshall, Kansas City Star, 9 Aug. 2026

Definition of practice

Verb

Speaking to reporters before heading out on a campaign bus tour in Maine, Collins was asked about recent reports of a 1988 incident in which Jackson faced misdemeanor charges for punching an unnamed man.

— Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 14 Aug. 2026
MASSive congratulations to Bridgewater Joe Lazaro LL on punching their ticket to the Little League Baseball World Series, presented by @TMobile!

— CBS News, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of punch

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drifts

drill

drilled

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“Drill.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drill. Accessed 16 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of drill

noun

verb (1)

verb (2)

Example Sentences

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