drilled 1 of 2

verb (1)

past tense of drill
1
as in pierced
to make a hole or series of holes in the nerve-jangling sound when a dentist drills a tooth

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2
as in popped
to strike with a missile from a gun drilled the target from 100 yards away

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drilled

2 of 2

verb (2)

past tense of drill
as in planted
to put or set into the ground to grow he drills soybeans in the same rows with corn

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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 drilled
Verb
The two-time All-Star shot 4 of 6 from the field and drilled two 3s. — James Boyd, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2026 Peters then drilled a first-pitch fastball from Tigers starter Jackson Jobe over the right-field wall for the tying two-run home run, his seventh of the season. — Lamond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 15 Aug. 2026 Siri, who was pinch-hitting, then drilled a double into the gap in left-center, scoring the tying run. — Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 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 Undrafted rookie Dominic Zvada drilled a 62-yard field goal to close Wednesday’s practice, completing another perfect 7-of-7 day for the right-footed former Michigan specialist. — Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 13 Aug. 2026 Smack made kicks of 58, 38 and 37 yards and drilled another 58-yarder that didn't count when Green Bay opted to take a personal foul penalty against the Steelers to extend a drive that later ended with Smack converting a shorter field goal. — ABC News, 13 Aug. 2026 They are anchored by shafts drilled to a depth of 36 m (118 ft) into the bedrock and filled with concrete. — New Atlas, 11 Aug. 2026 Five minutes later, Temwa Chawinga drilled a ball from outside the 18-yard box that bounced off a Ghana defender and into the net for the equalizer. — Pj Green august 9, Kansas City Star, 10 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for drilled
  1. pierced
  2. popped
  3. planted
  4. punched
  5. plugged
  6. seeded
  7. poked
  8. shot
Verb
  • Investigators believe the bullet that pierced the restaurant window was fired from inside a passing vehicle on Vista Village Drive.
    — Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Poy was wounded in a second land mine explosion that pierced his face and body with shrapnel and killed three of his colleagues.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of pierced
Verb
  • Small, boutique brands have popped up in recent years with alternatives, usually marketed toward women.
    — Ramishah Maruf, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2026
  • But in Saturday’s game, the cornerback’s tendency to commit errors popped up, as he was flagged for two penalties in coverage.
    — Charlotte Carroll, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of popped
Verb
  • The latter cover the landscape in the Algarve in late winter; legend has it that the pale pink, almost white, almond trees were planted many centuries ago by a Moorish prince for his homesick Nordic bride to resemble snow.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Crews added more than 114,000 bricks to Kimball’s exterior, installed 1,270 light fixtures and planted 100 new trees.
    — Mike Danahey, Chicago Tribune, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of planted
Verb
  • The student also punched the guard in the head, according to the statement.
    — Kathy McCormack, Chicago Tribune, 20 Aug. 2026
  • The 49ers’ defensive highlight came when Warner, of course, punched a ball free from tight end David Njoku.
    — Cam Inman, Mercury News, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of punched
Verb
  • Also mentioned around the time of the Remix reveal was an imminent update to the standalone base Polymega unit, which doesn’t need a PC t0 run and can be plugged directly into a TV or monitor via HDMI.
    — Mitch Wallace, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
  • What a new staff means for Benton The previous coaching staff immediately plugged Benton in as a nose tackle in the base defense and was reluctant to move him.
    — Mike DeFabo, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of plugged
Verb
  • The New Development Bank, which is seeded by China, India, and Russia along with other countries in the BRICS consortium, is mobilizing resources for infrastructure and sustainable development in emerging markets and developing countries.
    — Eghosa E. Osaghae, Foreign Affairs, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Many fintech companies that are now crucial to African commerce and trade were seeded by venture capital within the last decade.
    — Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of seeded
Verb
  • In the 2024 playoffs, Carrington poked Fever phenom Caitlin Clark in the eye.
    — Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Offering a clever twist, the warm cake is poked with the handle of a wooden spoon, creating space for a vanilla-pineapple pudding to sink deep into the crumb.
    — Erin Merhar, Southern Living, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of poked
Verb
  • More than 540 foreign film and TV productions shot in Thailand last year, drawn in part by cash rebates of up to 30% for eligible projects.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 20 Aug. 2026
  • There, in the woods, Berezovska was shot in the head multiple times.
    — Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of shot

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Cite this Entry

“Drilled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drilled. Accessed 22 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of drilled for Spanish Speakers

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