drill 1 of 3

Definition of drillnext
1
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

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2
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)

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
Defensive end Jared Harrison-Hunte and linebackers Trevin Wallace and Bam Martin-Scott continued to wear red non-contact jerseys while participating in drills. Charlotte Observer, 11 June 2026 Guests complete cognitive-skills assessments that analyze the brain’s processing speed, visual memory, and executive functioning, then move into personalized drills and strategies. Melinda Fulmer, Robb Report, 11 June 2026
Verb
Storage would fill, drilling economics would worsen, and production cuts would follow. Dan Eberhart, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026 After a South Africa giveaway near its own goal, the ball found Julian Quinones who drilled the first goal of the tournament. Andrew Greif, NBC news, 12 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for drill
Recent Examples of Synonyms for drill
Noun
  • This device can also learn your daily routines and set specific heating and cooling schedules to reduce overall waste, which can often save homeowners between $100 to $200 annually.
    Timothy Dale, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 June 2026
  • The unconscious Moon in your 4th House of Home conjoins aching Chiron there, highlighting family patterns and house routines that need a kinder, more sustainable approach.
    Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 11 June 2026
Noun
  • The Lancet analysis found that moderate activity — about 45 minutes, three to five times a week — was tied to the biggest mental health benefit, and that more exercise wasn’t always better.
    Samantha Agate, Sacbee.com, 9 June 2026
  • For a monthly fee, people could enjoy such games as bridge and Mahjong, and take Pilates, yoga and other exercise classes in the 6,000-square-foot center, Griffin said.
    Joe Marusak June 9, Charlotte Observer, 9 June 2026
Verb
  • The Remarkable Life and Times of George Forster A gunshot pierced the calm.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 11 June 2026
  • Telefone, the piercing 2016 breakout debut from Noname, turns ten this year, and the Chicago rapper is celebrating it with a late-summer anniversary trek.
    Alex Suskind, Pitchfork, 11 June 2026
Verb
  • Located opposite the balcony where King was shot, the museum’s new Legacy Experience focuses, with urgency, on the modern era, with its controversies over immigration and Black Lives Matter activism.
    USA TODAY Network, USA Today, 10 June 2026
  • Thousands of passenger pigeons were shot in the countryside and taken to urban markets by the wagonload.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 June 2026
Verb
  • The Baltimore Tree Trust will remove paved surfaces and plant 500 new trees in the city to increase canopy coverage, decrease temperatures and improve water quality.
    Kate Gray, CBS News, 12 June 2026
  • Aphids thrive due to plant stress, excess nitrogen, and overcrowding, making prevention key.
    Abby Monteil, The Spruce, 12 June 2026
Noun
  • The adrenaline of the playoffs was one thing, but the grind of a long campaign was something very different.
    Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 9 June 2026
  • In a measuring cup or small bowl, stir together the yogurt, mayonnaise, chives, dill and garlic powder; season with 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and a few grinds of pepper.
    Emily Weinstein, Twin Cities, 4 June 2026
Noun
  • Jefferson missed most of last summer’s practices with a hamstring injury.
    Alec Lewis, New York Times, 16 June 2026
  • Rondeau described her father as a devoted dad who took her to volleyball and softball practice, went camping with her and taught her about the outdoors.
    Nick Lunemann, CBS News, 16 June 2026
Verb
  • Among those arrested was a woman who allegedly punched a police officer.
    Connor Greene, Time, 9 June 2026
  • In extreme cases, like intentionally punching another player, a referee can go straight to a red card and eject a player from the match.
    Irene Wright, USA Today, 9 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Drill.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drill. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.

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