YAWNING Synonyms: 107 Similar and Opposite Words

yawning 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of yawning

as in nodding

Related Words

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Dissimilar Words

as in gaping

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

yawning

2 of 2

verb

present participle of yawn

as in snoring

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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

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

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

Definition of gaping

Adjective

Trade talks with Canada collapsed late Friday night, setting in motion steep 50% tariffs on a wide swath of Canadian goods.

— Steve Kopack, NBC news, 22 Aug. 2026
Culinary Experiences All 8 million New Yorkers bring unique perspectives and ways of life to the city, which makes way for many vibrant neighborhoods with a wide array of foods to try.

— Condé Nast Traveler, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of wide

Verb

Dogs can be trained to alert to these odors by sniffing samples of breath, plasma and saliva, and have the capacity to detect cancerous cells early on in the disease’s progression, according to the Kennel Club.

— Becca Savransky, Idaho Statesman, 11 Aug. 2026
And the men’s team in Midtown — led by owner James Dolan, who notoriously left the Liberty for dead — couldn’t come close to sniffing the Larry O’Brien trophy either.

— Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of sniffing

Verb

Police say Coffer was pulled to safety by his boat partner, who told police Simpson fled the scene and the boy was gasping for air.

— ABC News, ABC News, 7 Aug. 2026
Sharing a video of the moment, Kotb is seen turning a corner in her house and gasping in shock as she’s confronted with a rainbow fringe curtain in the entrance to her living room.

— Rachel McRady, PEOPLE, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of gasping

Verb

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
Dogs primarily rely on panting, while cats also groom themselves to help regulate body temperature.

— Lauren Paige Richeson, USA Today, 21 July 2026

Definition of panting

Browse Nearby Words

yawners

yawning

yawns

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Style

“Yawning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/yawning. Accessed 22 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of yawning

adjective

verb

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