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

Relevance
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
Then, head into the city center and wander through the charming cobblestone streets and piazzas. —Michele Becker, Travel + Leisure, 4 Aug. 2025 Kansas City police are looking for the family of an approximately 18-month-old boy found wandering by himself, according to a police spokesperson. —Bella Waters, Kansas City Star, 1 Aug. 2025 Last year was the deadliest year recorded for children with autism who wandered, and nearly all in that record died from drowning, according to tracking from the association. —Darcie Moran, USA Today, 29 July 2025 Each of the eight pet-friendly rooms has a different design, and guests can enjoy nearby restaurants and wander the surrounding Bellaire Court Historic District. —Caroline Eubanks, Travel + Leisure, 29 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for wander
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wander
  1. roam
  2. trespass
  3. drift
  4. fall
  5. walk
  6. stroll
  7. stray
Verb
  • Four other systems roamed the Atlantic basin before Erin – Andrea, Barry, Chantal and Dexter – but none were stronger than a tropical storm.
    — Mary Gilbert, CNN Money, 17 Aug. 2025
  • The saiga antelope roams the Eurasian steppe of Central Asia.
    — Popular Science Team, Popular Science, 15 Aug. 2025
Definition of roam
Verb
  • Tamura also carried a private investigator license and had a misdemeanor for trespassing not amounting to burglary in 2023.
    — Bradford Betz , Brooke Curto , Kyle Schmidbauer, FOXNews.com, 29 July 2025
  • In 2021, a man from Maine plead guilty to trespassing on Old Faithful and was sentenced to 15 days in jail, McClatchy News reported.
    — Brooke Baitinger, Sacbee.com, 29 July 2025
Definition of trespass
Verb
  • In some time, the faint scent of elephants drifted through the air.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 18 Aug. 2025
  • Even minor sparks or drifting embers can incite nearby foliage or grass, setting off a rapidly spreading fire.
    — CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 18 Aug. 2025
Definition of drift
Verb
  • But, if wages don’t rise to match those jumps, consumer spending could fall and slow the economy.
    — Raul Elizalde, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025
  • Many species have a small window of activity in the spring, summer, or fall and disappear until the next year.
    — Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 14 Aug. 2025
Definition of fall
Noun
  • McLean’s performance — 5 1/3 innings, no runs, two hits, four walks and eight strikeouts — turned up the vibes.
    — Will Sammon, New York Times, 17 Aug. 2025
  • Caminero drew a leadoff walk, Jake Mangum singled and, with one out, Ha-Seong Kim singled to load the bases.
    — Marc Topkin, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 Aug. 2025
Definition of walk
Verb
  • Make your way up to the college town of New Paltz and eat, shop, stroll and experience some of the most vivid, colorful foliage the East coast has to offer.
    — Josh Max, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025
  • Shop and stroll Pier Park’s open-air district, where flagship stores mingle with unique boutiques, live entertainment, and waterfront dining.
    — Carrie Honaker, Travel + Leisure, 15 Aug. 2025
Definition of stroll
Verb
  • The Context Willett said a driver was turning onto a road, strayed from it and crashed into the building, rupturing a natural gas line—and left the scene in the vehicle before being found afterward.
    — Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Aug. 2025
  • But the attention will never stray from one primary goal, Wyle added.
    — The Deadline Team, Deadline, 19 Aug. 2025
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 23 Aug. 2025.

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