as in to play
to spend time in aimless activity
I plan to spend the entire vacation just doodling
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in illustration
Related 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 doodle
Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 23 Jan. 2026
With only three healthy wide receivers active and one fewer day to prepare for a game 5,280 feet above sea level, Brady’s next play sheet might resemble the stick-figure Bills logo Josh Allen famously doodled as a rookie.
—Tim Graham, New York Times, 14 Jan. 2026
Susan Tompor, Freep.com, 22 Oct. 2025
Trump is suing his Wall Street Journal for reporting about his dirty doodle to Jeffrey Epstein.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for doodle
Verb
Loyal Devotion started his journey as an artist, doodling on his schoolwork while a sixth grader at Neal Math and Science Academy middle school in North Chicago.
—Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 23 Jan. 2026
With only three healthy wide receivers active and one fewer day to prepare for a game 5,280 feet above sea level, Brady’s next play sheet might resemble the stick-figure Bills logo Josh Allen famously doodled as a rookie.
—Tim Graham, New York Times, 14 Jan. 2026
Noun
But the lovable doodle looked smart Saturday in a purple-and-orange bandanna.
—Susan Tompor, Freep.com, 22 Oct. 2025
Trump is suing his Wall Street Journal for reporting about his dirty doodle to Jeffrey Epstein.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for doodle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for doodle
Verb
-
The conception meant that the show would need multiple actors playing Scarpetta, with one as the lead of the series.—
Emily Zemler,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Phillips also played a complete season in 2025 after seeing two separate significant injuries end his seasons in 2023 (Achilles) and 2024 (ACL).—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
11 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Shopping market editor Kate McGregor is a sucker for Liz Rowland’s quirky illustrations.—
Kate McGregor,
Architectural Digest,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Effler is best known for creating the annual Bockfest posters and illustrations.—
Kaycee Sloan,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
In the other, a 9-year-old Khimberly held drawings and pictures for a school project.—
Ruben Vives,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Mar. 2026
-
The ruling said the lower court was wrong in finding that the student’s drawing, at the center of the dispute, was not protected by the First Amendment.—
Jack Birle,
The Washington Examiner,
11 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
But the show, created by Jonathan Glatzer, also captures something about the people that goes beyond caricature and that resonates at this particular moment.—
Alexei Oreskovic,
Fortune,
6 Mar. 2026
-
The ants that animators once morphed into googly-eyed caricatures in films such as A Bug’s Life and Antz just received a meticulously precise anatomical reboot.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The pattern of demands is a bare outline of topic areas.—
Gene Maddaus,
Variety,
7 Mar. 2026
-
Below the hawk-outline is a blue stellar nursery packed with newborn massive blue stars.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The phrasing is flat, declarative, and uninterested in anecdote; taken together, the dicta sketch a profile that is periodic, age-linked, and seasonal.—
Jan Steyn,
The Dial,
10 Mar. 2026
-
The art in this collection is a stunning reproduction of Miyazaki’s illustrations, including concept sketches, animation stills and interviews with the creators.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
This is Shakespeare’s most famous tragedy, a gripping portrait of a young prince caught between action and inaction, grief and rage, truth and deception.—
Cincinnati Enquirer,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
7 Mar. 2026
-
Data and recordings from more than a hundred 911 calls at Camp East Montana in El Paso, Texas, along with interviews and court filings, offer a disturbing portrait of overcrowding, medical neglect, malnutrition and emotional distress.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
His second outing for the house, however, which took place on Sunday, felt more measured, shifting the focus toward tailoring while still playing with sculptural silhouettes.—
Maliha Shoaib,
Vogue,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Shirt unbuttoned, sleeves rolled up, the silhouette takes on a new life.—
Julissa James,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Doodle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/doodle. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
