as in playing
to spend time in aimless activity
I plan to spend the entire vacation just doodling
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Recent Examples of doodling
Their two oldest sat behind them in a drab conference room, doodling or staring blankly at the screen.
—
Mike Hixenbaugh, NBC news, 13 Feb. 2026
As always with Gibney’s docs, there’s an abundance of archival material, covering records of Rushdie’s life but also doodling animation, images and film clips that provide a visual correlation to the subject’s thoughts.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 25 Jan. 2026
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
Participate in this session, which includes a doodling activity led by artist Yurika Chiba, then transition to the main restorative sound bath session.
—Hema Sivanandam, Mercury News, 12 Jan. 2026
The weekly planner also includes a habit tracker, monthly budget sheets, doodling pages, gratitude lists, and end-of-year wrap-ups to reflect, celebrate, and prepare for your next glow-up.
—Raquel Reichard, Refinery29, 16 Dec. 2025
A certain James Gunn must have heeded this message, while doodling the Mighty Crabjoys logo in his notebook.
—Sergio Pereira, Space.com, 29 Oct. 2025
Under Niccol, Starbucks has brought back its tradition of baristas doodling on cups in Sharpie pens; reinstated self-serve milk and sugar stations; cut 30% of the food and drink menu; ended its open-bathroom policy for non-paying customers; and laid off 1,100 corporate employees in February.
—Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 26 Sep. 2025
Try coloring, building with blocks, or doodling beside a younger child.
—Kelsey Mora, CNBC, 24 Aug. 2025
Mike Hixenbaugh, NBC news, 13 Feb. 2026
As always with Gibney’s docs, there’s an abundance of archival material, covering records of Rushdie’s life but also doodling animation, images and film clips that provide a visual correlation to the subject’s thoughts.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 25 Jan. 2026
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
Participate in this session, which includes a doodling activity led by artist Yurika Chiba, then transition to the main restorative sound bath session.
—Hema Sivanandam, Mercury News, 12 Jan. 2026
The weekly planner also includes a habit tracker, monthly budget sheets, doodling pages, gratitude lists, and end-of-year wrap-ups to reflect, celebrate, and prepare for your next glow-up.
—Raquel Reichard, Refinery29, 16 Dec. 2025
A certain James Gunn must have heeded this message, while doodling the Mighty Crabjoys logo in his notebook.
—Sergio Pereira, Space.com, 29 Oct. 2025
Under Niccol, Starbucks has brought back its tradition of baristas doodling on cups in Sharpie pens; reinstated self-serve milk and sugar stations; cut 30% of the food and drink menu; ended its open-bathroom policy for non-paying customers; and laid off 1,100 corporate employees in February.
—Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 26 Sep. 2025
Try coloring, building with blocks, or doodling beside a younger child.
—Kelsey Mora, CNBC, 24 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for doodling
playing
Verb
-
Spending time reading with, singing with, or playing games with close pals and family is at the heart of Danish happiness and hygge-ness.—
Gretta Monahan,
Boston Herald,
26 Feb. 2026
-
Karen was last seen playing outside her home on January 11, 1996, according to CNN affiliate KOLD.—
Elise Hammond,
CNN Money,
26 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Doodling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/doodling. Accessed 27 Feb. 2026.
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