wander 1 of 2

verb

ˈwän-dər How to pronounce wander (audio)
Definition of wandernext
1
as in to roam
to move about from place to place aimlessly we just went outside and wandered around until it was time to go

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in to trespass
to commit an offense we have all wandered from the path of righteousness at least once in our lives

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

wander

2 of 2

noun

as in stroll
a relaxed journey on foot for exercise or pleasure a wander through the woods

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb wander contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of wander are meander, ramble, roam, rove, and traipse. While all these words mean "to go about from place to place usually without a plan or definite purpose," wander implies an absence of or an indifference to a fixed course.

fond of wandering about the square just watching the people

When might meander be a better fit than wander?

The words meander and wander 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

When is ramble a more appropriate choice than wander?

The meanings of ramble and wander largely overlap; however, 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 wander?

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

liked to roam through the woods

When can rove be used instead of wander?

While in some cases nearly identical to wander, rove suggests vigorous and sometimes purposeful roaming.

armed brigands roved over the countryside

In what contexts can traipse take the place of wander?

The synonyms traipse and wander are sometimes interchangeable, but traipse implies a course that is erratic but may sometimes be purposeful.

traipsed all over town looking for the right dress

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 wander
Verb
Walk Japan Basho spent five months wandering in the Deep North. — Everett Potter, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026 The announcement comes after video circulated online of Knight at recent performances, including a July 25 gig at the Hollywood Bowl, wandering around the stage, turning her back to the audience, and not singing on cue. — Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 28 Aug. 2026
Noun
Tokyo Station is a manageable 15-minute stroll, and Ginza is close enough for an after-dinner wander. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 July 2026 Mornings here might start with a wander around the grounds, collecting fresh eggs for breakfast–always best eaten on the outdoor terrace with views of the Eastern Cape’s Tsitsikamma Mountains. — Katie Silcox, Vogue, 21 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for wander
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wander
  1. roam
  2. trespass
  3. stroll
  4. drift
  5. fall
  6. walk
  7. stray
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
Verb
  • The Tohono O’odham Nation said that even if construction were contained to the Roosevelt Reservation, driving onto tribal land to access the area still constitutes trespassing.
    — Mikella Schuettler, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The Tohono O'odham Nation said that even if construction were contained to the Roosevelt Reservation, driving onto tribal land to access the area still constitutes trespassing.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of trespass
Noun
  • The slew of eateries at Pavilion Road are just a stone’s throw away, and the hotel is a short stroll from the design shops and boutiques of King’s Road and Sloane Street.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Still, Iona's Beach is worth your time for a quick stroll and some photos along the shore.
    — Amber Harding OutKick, FOXNews.com, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of stroll
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
Verb
  • The continent's sweltering summer has meanwhile boosted demand for air conditioning and other energy-hungry appliances at a time when demand for gas, widely used for Europe's heating and cooking needs, naturally falls.
    — Jenni Reid, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026
  • The Oscar winner paired a leopard-print Givenchy fall 2026 dress and the fashion house’s modern take on T-strap high heels.
    — Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of fall
Noun
  • Le Butter Shop, billed as Paris’ first boutique devoted entirely to butter, opened last month a short walk from the Eiffel Tower — with 30 varieties from small family producers in Brittany, the Loire Valley and northern France.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 26 Aug. 2026
  • The Kabukiza Theater is practically next door, and Tsukiji Outer Market, with its hundreds of food stalls, is a short walk away.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of walk
Verb
  • But don’t expect anything that strays too far from the Interpol sound.
    — David Harris, SPIN, 31 Aug. 2026
  • My biggest challenge as an artist that’s been doing this for close to 20 years now is to try not to be overly redundant with your material, but then try not to stray away from what butters your biscuit.
    — Melinda Newman, Billboard, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of stray

Browse Nearby Words

wan
wander
wandered
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Cite this Entry

“Wander.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wander. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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