drowse

verb

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\ ˈdrau̇z

drowsed; drowsing

Definition of drowse

(Entry 1 of 2)

intransitive verb

1 : to be inactive

2 : to fall into a light slumber

transitive verb

1 : to make drowsy or inactive

2 : to pass (time) drowsily or in drowsing

drowse

noun

Definition of drowse (Entry 2 of 2)

: the act or an instance of drowsing : doze

Synonyms Example Sentences Learn More about drowse

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Synonyms for drowse

Synonyms: Verb

catnap,
doze,
kip
[British],
nap,
slumber,
snooze

Synonyms: Noun

catnap,
doze,
forty winks,
kip
[chiefly British],
nap,
siesta,
snooze,
wink

Examples of drowse in a Sentence

Verb picnickers drowsing in the shade of an oak tree Noun was just falling into a drowse when you called

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb Stars lounged and drowsed: Muhammad Ali with a newspaper, Peter Cook in his old mac on a lilo in a Hollywood pool. — The Economist, "Obituary: Terry O’Neill died on November 16th," 21 Nov. 2019 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun The wealthy suburb of Phoenix drowses in the heat of the Sonoran Desert, sprinkled with luxury resorts catering to snowbirds in what Arizonans call the Valley of the Sun. — Lynette Rice, EW.com, "The tragic, unsolved murder of Hogan's Heroes star Bob Crane," 26 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'drowse.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.