GAD (ABOUT) Synonyms: 100 Similar and Opposite Words

gad (about) 1 of 3

verb

Definition of gad (about)

as in to roam

to move about from place to place aimlessly he gads about town every Saturday, flirting and gossiping with various shopkeepers and locals

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gadabout

2 of 3

noun

ˈga-də-ˌbau̇t

as in nomad

a person who roams about without a fixed route or destination she was a thoughtful gadabout, always picking up souvenirs for her friends from wherever her travels took her

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

gadabout

3 of 3

adjective

as in peripatetic

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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 gad (about)

Noun

The wild career of David Johansen — New York Dolls frontman, punk gadabout, occasional actor, and Buster Poindexter portrayer — will be the focus of an upcoming documentary co-directed by Martin Scorsese. — Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 16 Mar. 2023 For those of us who won’t be joining in the sybaritic excursion, Matches is bringing the Riviera gadabout vibes to all with capsule collections of women’s, men’s and home products curated by Sciò and Rabensteiner. — Todd Plummer, Robb Report, 5 May 2022 But a linesman stepped in and prevented the gadabout angler from bringing in the catch. — Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 27 Nov. 2021 Writer, comedian, and social gadabout Lucas Murphy sits down with friends and contemporaries to solve the New York Times crossword puzzle. — Savannah Eadens, The Courier-Journal, 20 Apr. 2020 So, a solar charging system fits perfectly with your gadabout persona. — The Editors, Field & Stream, 10 Apr. 2020 Simon is so reserved that even his live-in girlfriend (an egregiously underused Olivia Thirlby) has given up on him; Trevor is a kooky gadabout who’d be right at home trading druggy celebrity anecdotes with Oliver Putnam. — Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2019

Recent Examples of Synonyms for gad (about)

Verb

In a world that’s been ravaged by a virus, with many living on the skids, survivors face roaming scavengers called Reapers.

— Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 26 Aug. 2026
Her book’s beauty reminds me of the pleasures of the freely roaming mind.

— The Week US, TheWeek, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of roam

Noun

Jason and his family are living like multiversal nomads, traveling to different worlds in search of a home, and this lets the show get into the nitty-gritty of how the box works and the rules for traveling between worlds.

— Andrew Webster, The Verge, 28 Aug. 2026
Such groups may include perennial nomads (such as the Roma in Europe), Indigenous peoples in former European colonies, or smaller tribes in societies where tribal membership is socially significant.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of nomad

Adjective

Similarly, the peripatetic Werner Herzog (Fitzcarraldo, Grizzly Man) has Bucking Fastard, featuring the Mara sisters playing siblings who speak in unison and share each other dreams.

— David Bloom, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
A little odd, perhaps, but the Taper remains until now the most intriguing venue of the peripatetic ensemble that has roamed through the years from Santa Monica to Pasadena, and that helped give the ensemble a distinctive image.

— Classical Music Critic, Los Angeles Times, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of peripatetic

Verb

And, conversely, which (if any) caused folks to wander off hunting for a Pronto Pup instead.

— Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 31 Aug. 2026
And naturally your eyes wander where there is the most roster bloat — either at the tight end position (five players) or the offensive line (10).

— Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of wander

Adjective

Atrium Health has also said portions of the broader plan remain contingent on agreements with Fulton County regarding support for Morehouse Medicine's ambulatory care network.

— Jamal Goss, CBS News, 26 Aug. 2026
Violet Hall Women’s 100/200/400m ambulatory, Bloomington, Indiana Want more stories like this one?

— Jeremy Rellosa, Curbed, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of ambulatory

Verb

Closer to home, Roman will monitor small variations in light from stars near the center of the Milky Way galaxy in order to infer the presence of rogue planets drifting between the stars.

— Don Figer, The Conversation, 27 Aug. 2026
The other was drifting toward akolasia without noticing the drift.

— Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of drift

Noun

Since 2017 individual travelers have also been able to pass through the port.

— Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 2026
On Wednesday, a massive ice-rock avalanche triggered flash floods in Nepal’s steep Himalayan valleys, killing at least 72 people, sweeping away villages and roads, and leaving hundreds of residents and travelers missing.

— Niranjan Shrestha, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of traveler

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gad (about)

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“Gad (about).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gad%20%28about%29. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of gad (about)

verb

noun

adjective

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