yawning 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of yawningnext
1
as in nodding

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2
as in gaping

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yawning

2 of 2

verb

present participle of yawn
as in snoring

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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 yawning
Adjective
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 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
  1. nodding
  2. gaping
  3. snoring
  4. sleeping
  5. wide
  6. sniffing
  7. gasping
  8. panting
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
Definition of nodding
Adjective
  • That didn’t work at the comically oversized Olympic Stadium, where the beam landed in a gaping, cavernous empty space.
    — Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2026
  • 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
Definition of gaping
Verb
  • Nighttime mouth breathing is associated with snoring, dry mouth, receding gums and sleep apnea, a disorder in which breathing stops repeatedly during sleep.
    — Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Mouth taping promises an easy fix for snoring, dry mouth and restless nights, and your TikTok feed may already be full of influencers swearing by it.
    — Samantha Agate, Sacbee.com, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of snoring
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
Definition of sleeping
Adjective
  • Days after losing the governor’s race by a wide margin, Republican Steve Hilton argued Thursday his campaign should serve as a template for future GOP tickets and hinted at a potential second run for governor.
    — Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 6 Nov. 2026
  • The top looks so similar to the sweater Rory wore in the show’s very first episode, and the pants have a wide fit and stretchy waistband that will accommodate second helpings of dinner.
    — Natalie LaBarbera, PEOPLE, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of wide
Verb
  • Chicago added Jeffery Simmons, the Seahawks brought in Quenton Nelson and other NFC teams are sniffing around the sellers for talent.
    — Sam Jane, Denver Post, 6 Nov. 2026
  • Why would the Bears have been sniffing around Nelson while also considering defensive pieces that could aid them for the second half of the season?
    — Brad Biggs, Chicago Tribune, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of sniffing
Verb
  • According to the arrest warrant, state police believe Ringquist first became separated from the truck on Polly Dan Road, where she was knocked to the ground and left gasping for air and sobbing.
    — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 3 Nov. 2026
  • They were gassed, players gasping with the exertion of trying to run the Knicks out of their gym.
    — Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of gasping
Verb
  • Like some of the music, the album artwork also pays homage to the animal world and our interconnectedness—the abstract piece offers a single line drawing that weaves in outlines of a panting dog, screeching cat, stoic bunny, and wise owl.
    — Selena Fragassi, SPIN, 28 Sep. 2026
  • The delivery person added that none of the canines appeared to have access to food or sufficient water, and that all the animals were panting.
    — Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of panting

Browse Nearby Words

yawners
yawning
yawns
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Cite this Entry

“Yawning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/yawning. Accessed 12 Nov. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on yawning

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about yawning

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