drift
Meaning
To drift is to move or be carried slowly and aimlessly, often in a gradual or imperceptible manner, which can metaphorically extend to the gradual change in thoughts, ideas, or societal trends without a deliberate intention or direction.
💡 While "drift" can imply a passive movement, it is important to recognize its potential connotation of loss of agency or direction, particularly in discussions of social or psychological phenomena.
Example Sentences
Word in Context
On
a
quiet
afternoon
,
Elena
sat
by
the
riverside
watching
small
boats
drift
lazily
past
while
she
sorted
through
her
notes
.
The
mild
breeze
and
the
regular
lapping
of
water
made
it
easier
for
her
to
let
a
few
persistent
worries
ebb
away
.
As
she
reviewed
each
idea
,
she
noticed
how
one
thought
would
drift
into
another
,
linking
memories
with
unexpected
clarity
.
Rather
than
forcing
conclusions
,
she
allowed
the
pattern
to
emerge
gradually
,
making
gentle
revisions
where
necessary
.
When
she
finally
stood
up
to
leave
,
her
plans
felt
more
coherent
and
achievable
than
they
had
at
the
start
of
the
day
.
Common Phrases
drift into apathy
drift apart
drift away from conventional norms
Synonyms
Related Words
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