nap 1 of 3

Definition of napnext
as in wink
a short sleep so tired that she needed to take a refreshing nap before soccer practice

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nap

2 of 3

noun (2)

as in fur
a soft airy substance or covering high-quality suede has a good, even nap

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nap

3 of 3

verb

1
as in to relax
to sleep lightly or briefly decided to let the kids nap for a few more minutes before waking them

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2
as in to sleep
to be in a state of sleep I'm just going to nap the entire afternoon

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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 nap
Noun
Thompson fled, dumped the gun in a creek, and then went to a friend's house to take a nap, court records say. Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 29 Jan. 2026 The only requirements are that travelers sleep for at least eight hours per day (plus naps), dine with locals to learn their tried-and-true relaxation rituals, and hit the water daily. Michael Cappetta, Travel + Leisure, 27 Jan. 2026
Verb
Allowing babies to nap in daylight and normal household noise helps maintain healthy sleep pressure toward nighttime. Maria Bolevich, Interesting Engineering, 7 Dec. 2025 Afternoon tea and backgammon were a leisurely ritual for my husband, Ronen, and me while our son, Nadav, napped. Alisha Prakash, Travel + Leisure, 27 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for nap
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nap
Verb
  • Sleep disturbances While marijuana’s mild sedating and relaxing effects can sometimes help people who have difficulty falling asleep, experts say there are several important things to consider before using it as a sleep aid.
    Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 30 Jan. 2026
  • Protect the nest and set kind rules everyone understands, because clarity gives you strength while your intuition helps the household relax.
    Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 30 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • This inspired framing of the city that never sleeps serves as the tranquil backdrop of the spa, which offers a traditional Swedish sauna, hot stone massages, and Reiki therapy.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Jan. 2026
  • The usage of sleeping tablets is horrendous.
    Tom Burrows, New York Times, 30 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • The Warriors were playing without starters Stephen Curry (knee) and Draymond Green (back), while Minnesota's Anthony Edwards was a late scratch to rest a recurring right foot injury.
    CBS News, CBS News, 27 Jan. 2026
  • Another reason is that sectors of the US economy continue to rest on an implicit bargain between the government, employers, and migrants.
    Ben Smith, semafor.com, 26 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • The supermassive black hole sitting at the heart of our galaxy is considered to be a slumbering giant.
    Robert Lea, Space.com, 8 Jan. 2026
  • In a mood to slumber all day, to the tune of conversations held by cartoon mice?
    Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 10 Dec. 2025
Verb
  • One guy wearing a World Series of Poker cap was snoozing just a few feet from Circa’s Sports Gambling Hall of Fame, which features plaques commemorating America’s betting behemoths, including several men who live overseas for fear of prosecution.
    Jasper Craven, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
  • My intention in 2026 is not to stop snoozing my cell phone alarm, but to manage getting ready quickly and efficiently without cutting into any sleep.
    Vanessa Santos, Glamour, 19 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Shot in gorgeous widescreen (an unusual format for documentaries), the movie catalogs all the way people behave around what appears to be a single bear, first seen dozing with her two cubs.
    Peter Debruge, Variety, 1 Feb. 2026
  • Afternoons here are deliciously drowsy, spent dozing in the shade, gently parting calm sea water, or gliding past craggy rock formations in a little motor-boat.
    Rosalyn Wikeley, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Nap.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nap. Accessed 5 Feb. 2026.

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