rove

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb rove contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of rove are meander, ramble, roam, traipse, and wander. While all these words mean "to go about from place to place usually without a plan or definite purpose," rove suggests vigorous and sometimes purposeful roaming.

armed brigands roved over the countryside

When is meander a more appropriate choice than rove?

The words meander and rove are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, meander implies a winding or intricate course suggestive of aimless or listless wandering.

the river meanders for miles through rich farmland

Where would ramble be a reasonable alternative to rove?

Although the words ramble and rove have much in common, ramble stresses carelessness and indifference to one's course or objective.

the speaker rambled on without ever coming to the point

When would roam be a good substitute for rove?

The words roam and rove can be used in similar contexts, but roam suggests wandering about freely and often far afield.

liked to roam through the woods

When might traipse be a better fit than rove?

The meanings of traipse and rove largely overlap; however, traipse implies a course that is erratic but may sometimes be purposeful.

traipsed all over town looking for the right dress

In what contexts can wander take the place of rove?

While in some cases nearly identical to rove, wander implies an absence of or an indifference to a fixed course.

fond of wandering about the square just watching the people

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 rove The cultural tide in America had turned against the permissive atmosphere on America’s campuses, which tolerated the roving bands of menacing, occasionally violent anti-Israel mobs that had transformed their institutions from centers of learning to gauntlets. Noah Rothman, National Review, 24 Mar. 2025 At Lam Kwong Deli & Market, dim sum is served all day — without the roving carts or hot tea service. Brianna Taylor, Sacramento Bee, 14 Mar. 2025 Unlike standardized federal holidays, Daylight Savings Time is tied to a roving calendar. Tanya Akim, Forbes, 10 Mar. 2025 Since the election, Musk has taken on various roles for Trump, including serving as a kind of roving international envoy. David Ingram, NBC News, 6 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for rove
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rove
Verb
  • The other two dogs, who were able to roam the property, were found alive and taken into care.
    Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 18 Apr. 2025
  • The dogs were reported by passersby who alerted the KC Pet Project that dogs appeared to be dumped and roaming the area.
    Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 18 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • On Monday night, a glittering crowd stepped out to celebrate the store’s opening, before heading over to Palazzo Serbelloni to wander through its halls and take in the homewares collection.
    Liam Hess, Vogue, 10 Apr. 2025
  • That means that future missions to Titan will have a rough time tracking down any solitary microbes that might be wandering about.
    David Szondy, New Atlas, 8 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Throughout the show, Sheeran often drifted to the back of the stage to lock into tight grooves with bodhrán (an Irish drum) player Eamon Murray, as fiddle player Niamh Dunne carved out fiery solos.
    Andrew R. Chow, Time, 16 Apr. 2025
  • The Tijuana River has been plagued with raw sewage and industrial waste from Tijuana for decades, fouling beaches along the U.S.-Mexico border with polluted water and sending foul odors drifting through communities in San Diego County.
    Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 16 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Rove.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rove. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.

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