as in nomad
a person who roams about without a fixed route or destination
the drifter just packed up and moved on to the next dead-end job
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of drifter
Once a harmless drifter in the Sargasso Sea, an algae known as sargassum is now flooding tropical beaches, from Brazil to the Caribbean, with stinky, toxic piles.
—
Pranjal Malewar, New Atlas, 5 Sep. 2025
Young, unemployed family man Nick (MacKay) volunteers to take the boat back out, along with taciturn, new-in-town drifter Liam (Turner) and grizzled seadog Murgey (Francis Magee).
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 31 Aug. 2025
Entrants included everything from historic race cars to JDM drifters, time attack competition cars and off-roaders.
—Trinity Francis, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025
Bug, directed by David Cromer (Prayer for the French Republic), revolves around an unexpected and intense romance between a lonely waitress, played by Coon, and a mysterious drifter, played by Namir Smallwood.
—Denise Petski, Deadline, 20 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for drifter
Pranjal Malewar, New Atlas, 5 Sep. 2025
Young, unemployed family man Nick (MacKay) volunteers to take the boat back out, along with taciturn, new-in-town drifter Liam (Turner) and grizzled seadog Murgey (Francis Magee).
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 31 Aug. 2025
Entrants included everything from historic race cars to JDM drifters, time attack competition cars and off-roaders.
—Trinity Francis, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025
Bug, directed by David Cromer (Prayer for the French Republic), revolves around an unexpected and intense romance between a lonely waitress, played by Coon, and a mysterious drifter, played by Namir Smallwood.
—Denise Petski, Deadline, 20 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for drifter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for drifter
Noun
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Dreadlocked yaks were dotted around the foreground and the odd cluster of nomad tents swept by colorful prayer flags fluttering in the wind.—
The Editors,
Outside,
31 Aug. 2025
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The area is home to the indigenous Sami, who were descendants of nomads who lived in North Scandinavia for thousands of years.—
Jason Mastrodonato,
Mercury News,
24 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The resort often appeals to luxury travelers — both couples and families — seeking an exclusive and highly personalized experience.—
Jessica Peralta,
Oc Register,
19 Sep. 2025
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Let’s hope this fiasco is not a preview of what travelers can expect in the future.—
U T Readers,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
19 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Its steep, meandering streets form a patchwork quilt filled with artists, spiritual seekers, motorcyclists, weekend wanderers, and retirees, each adding their own thread to the fabric.—
Lisa Cericola,
Southern Living,
9 Sep. 2025
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The weather is almost always perfect, the mountains are endlessly inviting, and state's inland gems, like the ever-popular Palm Springs, offer plenty of magic for weekend wanderers.—
Stacey Leasca,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Animals that are kennel-trained will likely be pleased to be in their cozy confines and away from the bustle of vacuums, mops, and the like, but for those who are roamers, consider gating off an area for them.—
Patricia Shannon,
Southern Living,
31 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Drifter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drifter. Accessed 20 Sep. 2025.
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