slum·ber
| \ ˈsləm-bər
\
\
slumbered; slumbering\
ˈsləm-b(ə-)riŋ
\
\
Definition of slumber
(Entry 1 of 2)
2a
: to be in a torpid, slothful, or negligent state
b
: to lie dormant or latent
slumber
nounKeep scrolling for more
Other Words from slumber
Verb
slumberer
\
ˈsləm-bər-ər
\
noun
\
noun
Synonyms & Antonyms for slumber
Synonyms: Verb
Synonyms: Noun
- bed,
- catnapping,
- dozing,
- napping,
- repose,
- rest,
- resting,
- shut-eye,
- sleep,
- slumbering,
- snoozing,
- z's
- (or zs)
Antonyms: Noun
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Examples of slumber in a Sentence
Verb
she slumbered for hours while the train rolled on
slumbering restlessly in the tropical heat
Noun
She fell into deep slumber.
a toddler looking so innocent and peaceful in slumber
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Recent Examples on the Web: Verb
Dormice prefer to slumber in the hollows of old trees—and centuries of timber harvesting have stripped many of them from countries such as Poland, Belarus, Latvia, and Lithuania.
—
Jason Bittel, Animals, "Sleepy dormice are losing their cozy tree hollows," 28 Dec. 2020
The getaway was designed and furnished to satisfy a desire for comfort, convenience, calm and slumber for vacation and business travelers.
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oregonlive, "Zen-like getaways: Oregon offers calm vacation destinations (and ideas for your home)," 26 June 2020
Without cytokines, the immune system would slumber while infections wreak havoc.
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Clifford Marks, The New Yorker, "What We Don’t Know About COVID-19," 29 Apr. 2020
Little and a slew of guest musicians, including keyboardist Newt Johnson, bassist John Onder and singer Tara Sayre Jones, would work from around 9 p.m. to 1 a.m., while Little's wife and daughter slumbered back home.
—
Matt Wake | Mwake@al.com, al, "How songwriting is helping an Alabama vet’s PTSD," 7 Apr. 2020
Here, as the giraffe slumbered, the gazelle was finally able to study him, and many truths became apparent to her at once.
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Riane Konc, The New Yorker, "Aesop’s Fables Written After a Bad Breakup," 5 Feb. 2020
Nope; that’s the crew member who was supposed to be on watch while everyone else slumbered.
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Dan Thurot, Ars Technica, "Nemesis brings alien impregnation horror to your tabletop—and it works," 18 Jan. 2020
Both offenses were still slumbering in Game 3; the Red Sox managed one run on four hits off Verlander while the Tigers were shutout.
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Ryan Ford, Detroit Free Press, "Detroit Tigers: Solving the greatest 'What ifs' of the 2010s," 31 Dec. 2019
On one beach several bears appeared to be slumbering lazily.
—
Eva Sohlman, New York Times, "Forged by Volcanoes, Kamchatka Offers Majestic, Magnetic Wilds," 7 Oct. 2019
Recent Examples on the Web: Noun
More than six years ago, the tallest geyser in the world stopped erupting—as geysers sometimes do—but the giant’s slumber wasn’t permanent.
—
Jo Craven Mcginty, WSJ, "The World’s Tallest Geyser Holds On to Some Secrets," 15 Jan. 2021
For True Crime & Cocktails, that hook is nostalgia — specifically the nostalgia of Unsolved Mysteries and slumber parties.
—
Emma Fraser, Vulture, "True Crime & Cocktails Mixes, Booze, Mystery, and Pajamas," 5 Feb. 2021
Do Not Disturb to encourage less phone usage before slumber time.
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Jacob Krol, CNN Underscored, "12 iPhone features you aren’t using and totally should be," 5 Jan. 2021
Obstructive sleep apnea is a disorder in which the muscles that keep our airways open relax during slumber, narrowing or stopping flow and causing periodic gaps in breathing.
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Claire Maldarelli, Popular Science, "The 9 top health and medicine breakthroughs of 2020," 2 Dec. 2020
Featuring 6 nature sounds like summer night and rain, the recipient is sure to fall asleep faster and have a more restful slumber.
—
Sarah Vincelette, USA TODAY, "20 amazing gifts to buy from Bed, Bath & Beyond under $30," 10 Nov. 2020
The Steelers lost three straight after the Week 12 matchup, with their offense going into deep slumber until quarterback Ben Roethlisberger sprang to life in the second half of last Sunday’s 28-24 win over the Indianapolis Colts.
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Childs Walker, baltimoresun.com, "Whom would the Ravens least want to see in the playoffs? A look at their four potential first-round opponents.," 31 Dec. 2020
The app is one of the most comprehensive in terms of analyzing your sleep patterns and making suggestions about how to improve your slumber.
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David Nield, Popular Science, "Skip the wearables and track your sleep with these 5 apps," 6 Jan. 2021
In the end, A.J. collapses in a blissful post-adventure slumber, her right foot planted firmly in her father’s sleepless face.
—
Howard Bryant, The Atlantic, "He Won a Super Bowl. Now for the Real Challenge.," 17 Dec. 2020
See MoreThese example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'slumber.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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Cite this Entry
“Slumber.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/slumber. Accessed 9 Mar. 2021.
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More Definitions for slumber
slumber
verb
slum·ber
| \ ˈsləm-bər
\
\
slumbered; slumbering
Kids Definition of slumber
(Entry 1 of 2)slumber
noun
Kids Definition of slumber (Entry 2 of 2)
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The first known use of slumber was in the 13th century
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