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floating without control; ; not anchored or moored:
The survivors were adrift in the rowboat for three days.
lacking aim, direction, or stability.
Contemporary Examples

adrift in senility and depression, Hitchcock is dismantling his life, putting it away.
Alfred Hitchcock’s Fade to Black: The Great Director’s Final Days David Freeman December 12, 2014

Just this week, Oracle CEO Larry Ellison said Apple was adrift without Steve Jobs.
Carl Icahn’s Tweets Send Apple Stock Above $500 William O’Connor August 13, 2013

His life raft was attacked by sharks and shot at by Japanese aircraft during 47 days adrift at sea.
Six Greatest Acts of Human Endurance Nico Hines November 5, 2013

Certainly, Obama could use the counsel of one such as Blair, adrift as he is with no real soul mate among international leaders.
A Very American Prime Minister Tunku Varadarajan September 2, 2010

Aunt Penniman has, in five words, untied the rope from the dock and set Catherine adrift in a storm.
Must Read Fiction: ‘Prague Fatale,’ ‘Derby Day’ and More Malcolm Forbes, Hillary Kelly, Mythili Rao May 8, 2012

Historical Examples

The muskrat is adrift, but not homeless; his range is vastly extended, and he evidently rejoices in full streams.
A Year in the Fields John Burroughs

But we were afraid to lose sight of the bridge, lest we should get all adrift.
Ned Myers James Fenimore Cooper

For more than a year Dory had felt as though he were all adrift in the world.
All Adrift Oliver Optic

“It would have been fairer to have cast me adrift at first,” said he, fiercely.
Tony Butler Charles James Lever

My greatest concern had been lest some of the sails should get adrift, for they had been furled by few and fatigued men.
Miles Wallingford James Fenimore Cooper

adjective, adverb (postpositive)
floating without steering or mooring; drifting
without purpose; aimless
(informal) off course or amiss: the project went adrift
adv.

1620s, from a- (1) “on” + drift. Figurative use by 1680s.