1
as in routines
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
1
as in punches
to make a hole or series of holes in
the nerve-jangling sound when a dentist drills a tooth
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in shoots
to strike with a missile from a gun
drilled the target from 100 yards away
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of drills
Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 27 Apr. 2026
Officials say more neighborhood drills are likely, but anyone can practice on their own with the help of a stopwatch and a little planning.
—Spencer Wilson, CBS News, 27 Apr. 2026
At the end of practice, the team competed in 1-on-1 drills near the red zone.
—Gabriel Duarte, Daily News, 25 Apr. 2026
The plan was then for the visiting Padres players, coaches and ambassadors — former stars Mark Loretta and Jake Peavy were also in attendance — to put the kids through a few baseball drills.
—Ryan Finley, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026
Players begin the return-to-play process with light exertion — such as riding a stationary bike, jogging, agility work and non-contact basketball drills — and each step is followed by another neurological examination.
—ABC News, 23 Apr. 2026
Gamble put her players through a series of drills to test their stamina, quickness and technique.
—Steve Galluzzo, Los Angeles Times, 19 Apr. 2026
Even with Malachi Toney held out of 11 on 11 work and Joshua Moore sidelined after getting banged up in 1 on 1 drills earlier in the day, UM receivers consistently demonstrated a combination of speed, skilled route running and soft hands.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 18 Apr. 2026
Spurlock teared up as the words were read to her, the sound of drills from working dealership mechanics providing perfect background noise.
—Pj Green
april 17, Kansas City Star, 17 Apr. 2026
Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 24 Apr. 2026
For kids, there will be a mobile video game truck, skills and drills stations, inflatables, balloon and caricature artist and a face painter.
—Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Apr. 2026
The van’s speakers played a high-volume mashup of construction sounds, Jordan Peterson lectures, Marine Corps drills, and mumbling voices.
—Charles Bethea, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026
Pitchers throw every day in season between competition days, bullpens, flat ground sessions and box drills off of an incline from 35 feet out.
—Shawn McFarland, Dallas Morning News, 20 Mar. 2026
Another Arsenal goal kick and Raya, after a customary bit of stud cleaning, drills the ball long.
—Stuart James, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2026
Wingo and Mosley are both recovering from some nagging injuries suffered during 2025 and haven’t fully participated in offseason team drills.
—Thomas Jones, Austin American Statesman, 23 Feb. 2026
As the First Platoon commander for Gallatin's Navy JROTC , Nathan trains and drills more than 25 junior cadets during the school day and after hours.
—Andy Humbles, Nashville Tennessean, 20 Feb. 2026
Everette, who with punter Brett Thorson and long snapper Beau Gardner are the former Bulldogs competing in Senior Bowl drills this week, is adjusting to life after Georgia football.
—Mike Griffith, AJC.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Noun
On Thursday, the morning before the Lakers flew to Houston, the Slovenian star was participating in stationary shooting drills after practice at their El Segundo practice facility.
—Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 27 Apr. 2026
Officials say more neighborhood drills are likely, but anyone can practice on their own with the help of a stopwatch and a little planning.
—Spencer Wilson, CBS News, 27 Apr. 2026
At the end of practice, the team competed in 1-on-1 drills near the red zone.
—Gabriel Duarte, Daily News, 25 Apr. 2026
The plan was then for the visiting Padres players, coaches and ambassadors — former stars Mark Loretta and Jake Peavy were also in attendance — to put the kids through a few baseball drills.
—Ryan Finley, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026
Players begin the return-to-play process with light exertion — such as riding a stationary bike, jogging, agility work and non-contact basketball drills — and each step is followed by another neurological examination.
—ABC News, 23 Apr. 2026
Gamble put her players through a series of drills to test their stamina, quickness and technique.
—Steve Galluzzo, Los Angeles Times, 19 Apr. 2026
Even with Malachi Toney held out of 11 on 11 work and Joshua Moore sidelined after getting banged up in 1 on 1 drills earlier in the day, UM receivers consistently demonstrated a combination of speed, skilled route running and soft hands.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 18 Apr. 2026
Spurlock teared up as the words were read to her, the sound of drills from working dealership mechanics providing perfect background noise.
—Pj Green
april 17, Kansas City Star, 17 Apr. 2026
Verb
Embiid, a 7-foot-0, 280-pound, 32-year-old native of Cameroon who won league MVP honors in 2023, participated in some of the Sixers’ drills just 15 days removed from emergency appendectomy surgery.
—Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 24 Apr. 2026
For kids, there will be a mobile video game truck, skills and drills stations, inflatables, balloon and caricature artist and a face painter.
—Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Apr. 2026
The van’s speakers played a high-volume mashup of construction sounds, Jordan Peterson lectures, Marine Corps drills, and mumbling voices.
—Charles Bethea, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026
Pitchers throw every day in season between competition days, bullpens, flat ground sessions and box drills off of an incline from 35 feet out.
—Shawn McFarland, Dallas Morning News, 20 Mar. 2026
Another Arsenal goal kick and Raya, after a customary bit of stud cleaning, drills the ball long.
—Stuart James, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2026
Wingo and Mosley are both recovering from some nagging injuries suffered during 2025 and haven’t fully participated in offseason team drills.
—Thomas Jones, Austin American Statesman, 23 Feb. 2026
As the First Platoon commander for Gallatin's Navy JROTC , Nathan trains and drills more than 25 junior cadets during the school day and after hours.
—Andy Humbles, Nashville Tennessean, 20 Feb. 2026
Everette, who with punter Brett Thorson and long snapper Beau Gardner are the former Bulldogs competing in Senior Bowl drills this week, is adjusting to life after Georgia football.
—Mike Griffith, AJC.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for drills
Noun
-
By evening, disruptive Uranus enters your 4th House of Home and Family, shaking up routines, space, and emotional foundations.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Melissa Horner’s inconsistent presence in the home seemed to upset her son’s routines.—
Harriet Ramos,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
In that same study, the soleus push-up, non-weight-bearing resistance activities, and stretching exercises were all found to have the potential to significantly improve glucose regulation, insulin sensitivity, and vascular function in those unable to perform traditional weight-bearing exercise.—
Mira Miller,
Verywell Health,
26 Apr. 2026
-
The Plank Knee Touch is more rehab-focused than other core exercises, but difficulty can be ramped up with a few easy adjustments.—
Matt Parrott,
Arkansas Online,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
This is perfect for a small household that just needs enough grinds for one pot of coffee at a time.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Apr. 2026
-
After using your coffee maker, clean the basin where the grinds go as well as the coffee pot using warm, soapy water.—
Madeline Buiano,
Martha Stewart,
18 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The Buckeyes spent 15 spring practices trying to fill holes and develop young talent to fill the void created by NFL attrition.—
Cameron Teague Robinson,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Last fall, the Supreme Court heard arguments on whether to strike down Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, which has been used to counter racially discriminatory election practices.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
26 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Drills.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drills. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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