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Definitions

maunder

[mawn-der] / ˈmɔn dər /
VERB
digress
Synonyms
STRONG
deviate drift ramble roam stray wander
Antonyms
STRONG
go direct stay
VERB
mumble
Synonyms
STRONG
babble drivel mouth mutter
VERB
wander
Synonyms
STRONG
babble blather drift drivel mumble mutter ramble stray
Antonyms
STRONG
speak clearly stay

Frequently Asked Questions

What is another word for maunder?
Maunder can mean to talk aimlessly or meaninglessly, as in I maundered for a minute until I regained my train of thought. It can also mean to move or act aimlessly. This sense can be literal, as in Don’t maunder through the market—watch where you’re going, or figuratively, as in Don’t just maunder through life—have a plan! Either way, it suggests directionlessness. Words that mean to talk aimlessly or meaninglessly include babble, ramble, prattle, prate, jabber, blather, and digress. Words that mean to move aimlessly include meander, wander, and drift. Some synonyms are appropriate for both senses of maunder, including meander and ramble.
Where does maunder come from?
The origin of the word maunder isn’t certain. It may come from an obsolete word meaning “to beg,” from the Latin mendīcāre. The first records of its use in English come from the early 1600s.
How do you use maunder in a sentence?
The sense of maunder meaning to talk aimlessly is more common than its movement sense, but neither one is commonly used. Here are some examples of maunder in a sentence:
  • Their favorite hobby was to maunder through the countryside until they got lost.
  • Thomas maundered on about Bigfoot and radio waves until something distracted him.
  • You don’t want to maunder through college, but you do want to allow yourself some time to discover what you’re interested in.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The second half of the picture tends to maunder a little, and the whole film is afflicted by Producer David Selznick's rather tacky preference for gnarled trees silhouetted against flaming sunsets.

From Time Magazine Archive

There they paid $1 apiece for the benefit of the French Hospital, were permitted last week to maunder through two small rooms hung with 51 modernist French paintings of the first rank.

From Time Magazine Archive

Horsemen sputter and maunder when asked to specify reasons for the success of the few truly great riders.

From Time Magazine Archive

If I should say out loud what I think of them—or if I should say what I think of friends who meddle and maunder on about love—love—I'd be ashamed if I were overheard.

From All-Wool Morrison by Day, Holman

Tyson could speak, Tyson could write, where other men maunder and drivel.

From The Tysons (Mr. and Mrs. Nevill Tyson) by Sinclair, May

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.