doze 1 of 2

noun

Definition of dozenext
as in nap
a short sleep a brief doze in the sun

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

doze

2 of 2

verb

ˈdōz How to pronounce doze (audio)
1
as in to sleep
to be in a state of sleep likes to doze through those lazy summer afternoons

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to nap
to sleep lightly or briefly she dozed fitfully in the car but never fell completely asleep

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 doze
Noun
Our thought was probably somebody was going to just want to come in and doze it all down and do something different. — Eric Adler, Kansas City Star, 10 Feb. 2026 By the evening’s end, I was cuddled up on the couch in a pile of kids, a movie playing while the little ones started to doze. — Monitor Contributors, Christian Science Monitor, 26 Nov. 2025
Verb
The Basque side went ahead in the blink of an eye when a dozing Atletico defence missed a long ball forward, Goncalo Guedes crossed from deep and Barrenetxea headed the fastest goal in a final in the Copa’s 124-year history. — Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 19 Apr. 2026 A little walk to Ayu Bakehouse, especially in the early morning while most of the neighborhood is still dozing, is a great start to the day. — Kate Kassin, Bon Appetit Magazine, 13 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for doze
Recent Examples of Synonyms for doze
  1. nap
  2. sleep
  3. relax
  4. rest
Noun
  • The half-dozen officers stripped down to their boots, swaddled themselves in some of the hotel’s cozy robes, and plopped down for a nap in a hallway near the lobby.
    — Jesse McLaren, Vulture, 11 Sep. 2026
  • However, Apple’s version will update throughout the day as the score changes, based on a workout or nap, for instance.
    — Andrew Gebhart, PC Magazine, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of nap
Verb
  • But as the couple slept, a Russian strike hit a warehouse across the street from their building, sending a blast wave through the apartment and threatening to stop the wedding scheduled for Tuesday morning.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 9 Sep. 2026
  • For the ultimate in comfort and space, the Duplex Suite and the Owner’s Suite can sleep up to four and six people, respectively, and come with several VIP-style amenities and privileges.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of sleep
Verb
  • Hailey and Justin Bieber also described their favorite ways to relax (the spa), favorite cities (a split between New York and Los Angeles) and favorite holidays (Thanksgiving and Christmas).
    — Kalia Richardson, USA Today, 7 Sep. 2026
  • Lounging and relaxing poolside is taken very seriously with an ample supply of chaise lounges and umbrellas lining all four pools (three family pools and one adults-only pool), and an adjacent private beach and lagoon.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of relax
Verb
  • And in fairness, there was a cognizant effort to keep Ohtani as rested as possible, including a season-long six-man rotation and an attempt to maneuver Ohtani’s starts to line up on games prior to a team off day, when possible.
    — Katie Woo, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • The National Academy of Sciences in 2003, and the American Psychological Association in a 2004 review, concluded that the polygraph rests more on theater than fact.
    — Brian O'Neill, The Conversation, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of rest

Browse Nearby Words

doyens
doze
dozed
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Doze.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/doze. Accessed 13 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of shofar

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Words from the 'Odyssey'

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Popular

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
funny guinea pig in glasses reading a book
Challenging Words You Should Know Vol 2 Words to the wise
See All