yawning 1 of 2

Definition of yawningnext

yawning

2 of 2

verb

present participle of yawn

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 yawning
Adjective
As such, anticipated spending cuts have not materialized and British Chancellor Rachel Reeves is expected to announced tax hikes in her next Autumn Budget to fill a yawning fiscal hole that could be as much as £50 billion ($67.2 billion), although estimates vary. Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 30 Sep. 2025 Yet the shooting also divided the American public in ways that many found disturbing, including a yawning lack of empathy for the victim and even cheering for the shooter. Patrik Jonsson, The Christian Science Monitor, 10 Dec. 2024 In Palm Beach County, Ian's yawning reach spun up four tornadoes. Jennifer Borresen, USA Today, 10 Jan. 2023 Wet Leg make fun of something that Harry Styles couldn’t quite capture in his cover of their song on BBC Radio 1: the yawning banality of male attention. Los Angeles Times, 4 Dec. 2022 Dellandrea still impresses: Stars forward Ty Dellandrea picked up his third assist of the season on Tuesday, working his way to a puck and finding Wyatt Johnston for a yawning cage in the second period. Dallas News, 25 Oct. 2022 But McNamara obtained the transcripts and discovered yawning contradictions. Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 9 June 2022 Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York may be at opposite ends of the ideological spectrum, but a more yawning gap between figures in the party has existed before. John Dickerson, The Atlantic, 1 Mar. 2022
Recent Examples of Synonyms for yawning
Adjective
  • James O’Donoghue, a planetary scientist with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, likened our planet’s tilting phenomenon to a nodding head.
    Aylin Woodward, WSJ, 21 Dec. 2021
Adjective
  • This is the most gaping vacancy of all—Trump gestures toward two American incitements, one historic, one extremely recent.
    Fintan O’Toole, The New York Review of Books, 9 Apr. 2026
  • Waldo’s digital shopping cart — and McCurdy’s brusque descriptions of her late-night binges — highlight the gaping, cavernous maw of her wants.
    CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 20 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • The warning signs in men include snoring while women often experience unrefreshing slumber, daytime fatigue or feeling exhausted despite spending enough time in bed.
    Emily Cegielski, Flow Space, 4 June 2026
  • Based on the idea that keeping the mouth closed during sleep may improve breathing, snoring and sleep quality, mouth taping has gone viral in recent years.
    Sharon Brandwein, USA Today, 2 June 2026
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
Adjective
  • In mid-January, as Iran crushed wide-scale protests with the mass killing of demonstrators, Israel prepared a covert mission along the Azerbaijan-Iran border, two of the sources familiar with the plans told CNN.
    Tal Shalev, CNN Money, 5 June 2026
  • Centro Histórico is widely considered the best neighborhood for historic stalls and the widest variety, though excellent options cluster near transportation hubs and office buildings throughout the city.
    Lauren Schuster, Charlotte Observer, 4 June 2026
Verb
  • The Pelicans just played a season with their current core and won 26 games, putting them miles away from even sniffing postseason play.
    Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 26 May 2026
  • Security was beefed up at the hall, with guards and metal detectors stationed at every entrance and explosive-sniffing dogs patrolling the hallways.
    ABC News, ABC News, 26 May 2026
Verb
  • Cut taxes and/or cut state payroll, or wait until the next report finds yet more residents leaving the state, taking their revenue with them, and a state budget gasping for air.
    Boston Herald editorial staff, Boston Herald, 26 May 2026
  • Within minutes, revellers were gasping for breath; their nostrils quivered, their lips turned blue.
    Taran Dugal, New Yorker, 23 May 2026
Verb
  • Signs include panting, a hoarse bark, scuffing or dragging their toes along the ground, and sometimes regurgitation or swallowing problems.
    The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 May 2026
  • Peter waltzes through an indistinguishable parade of such parties, high as a kite on some drug or another, at one point getting pulled into a panting threesome with another guy and handsy British tourist Leonora (Paris Petitjean).
    Guy Lodge, Variety, 16 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Yawning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/yawning. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.

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