sleeping 1 of 3

sleeping

2 of 3

noun

sleeping

3 of 3

verb

present participle of sleep
1
as in napping
to be in a state of sleep the baby slept for the entire length of the car trip found the night watchman sleeping at his post

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
as in breeding
to engage in sexual intercourse if I don't read the tabloids, how will I know who is sleeping with whom this week?

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 sleeping
Adjective
An autopsy showed that the infant died from asphyxiation secondary to a co-sleeping/overlay event with an unsafe sleeping environment. Laura Bauer, Kansas City Star, 26 Feb. 2026
Noun
In a place where many homes lean into glass, driftwood tones and a conventional layout, this one sprawls like a resort, with sleeping quarters separated into individual pavilion-like structures. David Caraccio, Sacbee.com, 29 June 2026 Dealing with increasing amounts of clutter added yet another layer of difficulty to their sleeping situation. Meredith Wilshere, PEOPLE, 27 June 2026 In choosing pillows to test, all types of sleeping preferences were considered and had the best overall quality, material, temperature control, price point, and ease of care. Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 26 June 2026 But this drink is a sleeping monster that attacks you with the first sip, but in a very delicious way. Richard Guzman, Daily News, 24 June 2026 In addition to the sleeping spaces, the multi-level villas include dining areas, kitchenettes with refrigerators and electric cook tops, fireplaces, walkout decks, and washers and dryers. Beth Luberecki, USA Today, 23 June 2026 Meanwhile, a decline in sudden infant death syndrome could be connected to an increase in education about safe sleeping for infants, Warren said in a statement. Mike Stobbe, Los Angeles Times, 22 June 2026 This cooling blanket is your must-have sleeping partner for the summer. Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 June 2026 This space houses a stone alcove bed, additional sleeping space, a generous kitchen, and a beautiful bathroom of stone and cocciopesto. Lucrezia Worthington, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 June 2026
Verb
Bed bugs typically stay within a few feet of their food source, which is usually sleeping people or pets. Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 June 2026 There are some other features to keep in mind when considering a sleeping pad, air mattress or camping cot. Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 19 June 2026 The shot in question, which arrives near the outset of Rear Window, features a sleeping Jeff, whose face is suddenly pooled over in shadow. Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 19 June 2026 While there is a little bit of wiggle room, this rule applies to those sleeping alone and couples who share a bed. Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 19 June 2026 Among the most noteworthy changes are the new seats, designed and built in-house to deliver precise 180-degree maneuverability and full-flat berthing for sleeping on overnight flights. Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 18 June 2026 The results have appeared significant, with teachers reporting students more focused during lessons and parents reporting their children are sleeping better. Leigh Kiniry, CBS News, 18 June 2026 On Wednesday, June 17, the journalist shared an Instagram post featuring herself in a New York Knicks jersey, cradling her sleeping newborn granddaughter, who was wearing a floral onesie. Clare Fisher, PEOPLE, 18 June 2026 Ridgetop is a larger option, sleeping up to 18 guests with six bathrooms as well as six private bedrooms, each sleeping up to three people. Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sleeping
Adjective
  • According to the arrest report, the victim had fallen asleep while seated at the dining room table.
    Anna McAllister, CBS News, 22 June 2026
  • At least one was an infant, asleep in the back seat.
    Paige Williams, New Yorker, 22 June 2026
Noun
  • According to maritime archaeologists, the future site of Hornsea 3 was the final resting place for an over 300-year-old shipwreck that sank carrying a load of massive, valuable lead slabs known as ingots.
    Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 25 June 2026
  • The most poignant moment came later in the day when the client visited George Michael’s final resting place.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 June 2026
Verb
  • By then, however, Jaxon was napping at the daycare center across town before an Easter egg hunt planned that afternoon.
    Julia Prodis Sulek, Mercury News, 21 June 2026
  • Our itinerary mostly consisted of long lunches, reading (ok—napping), and beach hopping.
    Madeline Fass, Vogue, 19 June 2026
Verb
  • Doing so will reduce the risk of mosquitoes breeding in the blooms.
    Helena Madden, Martha Stewart, 23 June 2026
  • Services will range from individual wellness and sick-patient examinations to routine herd healthcare, breeding soundness exams, pregnancy examinations, on-farm consultations, lameness evaluations and certificates of veterinary inspection, A-State said.
    arkansasonline.com, arkansasonline.com, 21 June 2026
Noun
  • Lily is the quickest to figure out the detective stories that George reads them every evening in the field, but otherwise smarts count for little in a quiet life of grazing and dozing.
    Guy Lodge, Variety, 27 Apr. 2026
  • There’s no dozing off in his sessions.
    Eduardo Tansley, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The New World screwworm's larvae eat live flesh and fluids instead of dead material, with females laying their eggs in open wounds and mucous membranes after mating only once in their monthslong lives.
    Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 12 June 2026
  • By mating with sterile flies, the females don't produce more flies and outbreaks can eventually be halted.
    ABC News, ABC News, 8 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Sleeping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sleeping. Accessed 29 Jun. 2026.

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