doze 1 of 2

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

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1
as in to sleep
to be in a state of sleep likes to doze through those lazy summer afternoons

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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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
Available in pink or blue, the toy—which attaches to crib bars or can be situated near your child’s sleeping space—features a relaxing array of sounds, lights, and music, along with gentle motion, to encourage your darling to doze. Melissa Willets, Parents, 1 July 2026 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
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
Noun
  • Fish that spent more of their inactive, sleep-like periods at night generally lived longer, while those that showed more inactivity during the day — the fish version of an afternoon nap — tended to have shorter lifespans.
    Panashe Matemba-Mutasa, Mercury News, 5 Aug. 2026
  • Their father returned home around three o’clock and took his daily nap.
    Cynthia Zarin, Harpers Magazine, 4 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • By chance, her parents and her sister had left the house just three days before the strike, because her mother couldn’t sleep.
    Ava Bambuck, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Samsung noted that my BMI could be better, but gave me high grades for my average activity, blood pressure, and sleep time.
    Andrew Gebhart, PC Magazine, 5 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • The idea is that your body and mind can fully relax in these situations.
    Ben Davidson, Mercury News, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Adri Salido / Getty Images Moroccan border controls were gradually relaxed during July and were allegedly removed as crowds surged toward the Tarajal crossing during Morocco’s Throne Day holiday, the reports said.
    Reuters, NBC news, 3 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Razon, not one to rest on his success, is pressing ahead with the expansion of his port and energy interests at home and beyond.
    Naazneen Karmali, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Situated comfortably outside the Charlotte Hornets’ locker room, resting in a folding chair following an individual workout, Naz Reid recalls the moment.
    Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 6 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Doze.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/doze. Accessed 7 Aug. 2026.

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