1
as in sipping
to swallow in liquid form the doctor wants her to drink lots of water before the examination
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in boozing
to partake excessively of alcoholic beverages we're worried that she's started drinking again
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in absorbing
to take in (something liquid) through small openings the hot surface of the porous rock drank water like a sponge
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 drinking Factors like drinking alcohol and swimming in choppy surf can turn a routine swim into something dangerous. —
Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 23 Apr. 2026 Limited research suggests drinking turmeric milk a few days after a workout may reduce muscle soreness. —Megan Nunn, Verywell Health, 23 Apr. 2026 But with warm weather and wildfire season ahead, community leaders would prefer to see a full reservoir even if the water isn’t suitable for drinking. —Sandra McDonald, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2026 Is there a difference between eating beets and drinking beet juice? —Desireé Oostland, Vogue, 22 Apr. 2026 The labor secretary had been the subject of multiple controversies—accused of abusing her power, having an affair with a subordinate, and drinking on the job. —Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 21 Apr. 2026 Wong said his office was inundated with calls from residents who were woken up by the disturbance, which attracted a large crowd of spectators drinking and blasting music. —Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 21 Apr. 2026 But drinking them throughout the day in place of water has not been recommended for most people, researchers said. —Mike Snider, USA Today, 16 Apr. 2026 Some research found that drinking tea with meals reduced iron absorption by at least 85%. —Heidi Cope, Health, 15 Apr. 2026
Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 23 Apr. 2026 Limited research suggests drinking turmeric milk a few days after a workout may reduce muscle soreness. —Megan Nunn, Verywell Health, 23 Apr. 2026 But with warm weather and wildfire season ahead, community leaders would prefer to see a full reservoir even if the water isn’t suitable for drinking. —Sandra McDonald, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2026 Is there a difference between eating beets and drinking beet juice? —Desireé Oostland, Vogue, 22 Apr. 2026 The labor secretary had been the subject of multiple controversies—accused of abusing her power, having an affair with a subordinate, and drinking on the job. —Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 21 Apr. 2026 Wong said his office was inundated with calls from residents who were woken up by the disturbance, which attracted a large crowd of spectators drinking and blasting music. —Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 21 Apr. 2026 But drinking them throughout the day in place of water has not been recommended for most people, researchers said. —Mike Snider, USA Today, 16 Apr. 2026 Some research found that drinking tea with meals reduced iron absorption by at least 85%. —Heidi Cope, Health, 15 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for drinking
Verb
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Just past the host stand, the bar is packed with patrons sipping on Mexican wines and boozy-but-balanced margaritas (sometimes both).— CNT Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026
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On Instagram, Kidman shared videos of her and Bullock sipping drinks out of mini cauldrons and walking the red carpet arm in arm.— Katie Simons, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Ferrara makes no bones about the catastrophic consequences of so much boozing and chasing the dragon on his personal life and finances.— Nick Pinkerton, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
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At the same time, unlike other artists of the bro-country ilk, Aldean personally refrained from boozing it up throughout the show, waiting to pull out a red Solo cup with a shot of tequila in it until there were just 11 minutes left in a set that ran 97.— Theoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 23 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The chewy grains and tiny legumes provide a sturdy base, absorbing all the flavors of the warm harissa-spiked dressing without going limp.— Rebecca Firkser, Bon Appetit Magazine, 23 Apr. 2026
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The plants serve as a physical barrier against dirty air, absorbing chemicals into their cells and collecting particles with their leaves, according to the researchers.— Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 22 Apr. 2026
Verb
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This viral anti-slip slow feeder lick bowl helps prevent gulping and bloating, while keeping your dogs entertained for longer with a healthy, fun challenge.— Kasey Caminiti, USA Today, 20 Feb. 2026
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Yes, gulping the liquid the night before was an ordeal — try drinking three liters of anything in three hours, going to sleep, then waking up six hours later for one final liter.— Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 3 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Popular with airboaters, froggers and fishermen, the swampy muck beneath the water may have acted as a pincushion, essentially swallowing the disabled DC-9 aircraft.— Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 21 Apr. 2026
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Avoid swallowing water while swimming.— Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 19 Apr. 2026
Verb
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One need not be a fan of marijuana to realize the dangers of stripping constitutional rights from Americans for imbibing legal products.— The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 14 Mar. 2026
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The poll also suggested that members of Gen Z, those born between 1997 and 2012, were imbibing far less than the generations that preceded them, reinforcing a wealth of anecdotal evidence from bar and club owners that twentysomethings just aren’t enamored of drinking culture.— Joseph Hudak, Rolling Stone, 1 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Drinking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/thesaurus/drinking. Accessed 25 Apr. 2026.
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