Thesaurus results for ROAM

Q: How does the verb 'roam' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of roam are meander , ramble , rove , traipse , and wander . While all these words mean "to go about from place to place usually without a plan or definite purpose," roam suggests wandering about freely and often far afield. // liked to roam through the woods

Q: Where would 'meander' be a reasonable alternative to 'roam'?

The words meander and roam can be used in similar contexts, but meander implies a winding or intricate course suggestive of aimless or listless wandering. // the river meanders for miles through rich farmland

Q: When might 'ramble' be a better fit than 'roam'?

Although the words ramble and roam 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

Q: When is 'rove' a more appropriate choice than 'roam'?

While the synonyms rove and roam are close in meaning, rove suggests vigorous and sometimes purposeful roaming. // armed brigands roved over the countryside

Q: When would 'traipse' be a good substitute for 'roam'?

While in some cases nearly identical to roam , traipse implies a course that is erratic but may sometimes be purposeful. // traipsed all over town looking for the right dress

Q: When can 'wander' be used instead of 'roam'?

The words wander and roam are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, wander implies an absence of or an indifference to a fixed course. // fond of wandering about the square just watching the people

roam

verb

ˈrōm

Definition of roam next

as in to wander

to move about from place to place aimlessly he took a year off and roamed over Europe before going on to college

Synonyms & Similar Words

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How does the verb roam contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of roam are meander, ramble, rove, traipse, and wander. While all these words mean "to go about from place to place usually without a plan or definite purpose," roam suggests wandering about freely and often far afield.

liked to roam through the woods

Where would meander be a reasonable alternative to roam?

The words meander and roam can be used in similar contexts, but meander implies a winding or intricate course suggestive of aimless or listless wandering.

the river meanders for miles through rich farmland

When might ramble be a better fit than roam?

Although the words ramble and roam 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 is rove a more appropriate choice than roam?

While the synonyms rove and roam are close in meaning, rove suggests vigorous and sometimes purposeful roaming.

armed brigands roved over the countryside

When would traipse be a good substitute for roam?

While in some cases nearly identical to roam, traipse implies a course that is erratic but may sometimes be purposeful.

traipsed all over town looking for the right dress

When can wander be used instead of roam?

The words wander and roam are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, wander implies an absence of or an indifference to a fixed course.

fond of wandering about the square just watching the people

Examples 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 roam At a Spirit Halloween in Culver City two days before Halloween, customers of all ages roamed the aisles and inspected rubber masks, body paint and wigs. —

Caroline Petrow-Cohen, Los Angeles Times, 31 Oct. 2024 Staffers will be roaming downtown Indianapolis in IndyStar sweatshirts around 3-7 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday. —

Cindi Andrews, The Indianapolis Star, 31 Oct. 2024 The Georgian-style mansion measures 11,000 square feet and includes six bedrooms and nine bathrooms, plenty of room for the America’s Got Talent judge’s whole brood to roam. —

Architectural Digest, 30 Oct. 2024 Most of the dogs love roaming around by themselves, but there's no doubt which breed likes to be around the staff at all times. —

Alyce Collins, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for roam