as in sleeping
being in a state of suspended consciousness
the dozing dog was running—at least in his dream
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in napping
a natural periodic loss of consciousness during which the body restores itself
dozing is a natural response to the stifling heat of summer
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in resting
to be in a state of sleep
likes to doze through those lazy summer afternoons
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2
as in snoozing
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
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Recent Examples of dozing
Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 15 Sep. 2025
Eduardo Tansley, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 6 Mar. 2026
Babies and young children attend events into the wee hours of the night, often falling asleep in someone’s arms or dozing across several chairs.
—Katrina Donham, Parents, 25 Feb. 2026
Not worrying about these wakeups could make all the difference in dozing back off easily.
—Erica Sloan, SELF, 24 Feb. 2026
Shot in gorgeous widescreen (an unusual format for documentaries), the movie catalogs all the way people behave around what appears to be a single bear, first seen dozing with her two cubs.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 1 Feb. 2026
Afternoons here are deliciously drowsy, spent dozing in the shade, gently parting calm sea water, or gliding past craggy rock formations in a little motor-boat.
—Rosalyn Wikeley, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Jan. 2026
An airport-style metal detector opened onto an intake counter, a security guard station, and a few dozen chairs, occupied by people dozing or staring ahead or attempting to console their crying baby while waiting for their name to be called.
—CBS News, 14 Nov. 2025
Adjective
His backdrop was a colorful tableau of posters, a neon sign, and a dozing dog.
—Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 15 Sep. 2025
Noun
There’s no dozing off in his sessions.
—Eduardo Tansley, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
Verb
Ye, the artist formerly known as Kanye West, appeared in a Los Angeles courtroom and repeatedly yawned, closed his eyes for long stretches, and at times seemed to catch his head falling forward as if dozing while seated on the witness stand.
—Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 6 Mar. 2026
Babies and young children attend events into the wee hours of the night, often falling asleep in someone’s arms or dozing across several chairs.
—Katrina Donham, Parents, 25 Feb. 2026
Not worrying about these wakeups could make all the difference in dozing back off easily.
—Erica Sloan, SELF, 24 Feb. 2026
Shot in gorgeous widescreen (an unusual format for documentaries), the movie catalogs all the way people behave around what appears to be a single bear, first seen dozing with her two cubs.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 1 Feb. 2026
Afternoons here are deliciously drowsy, spent dozing in the shade, gently parting calm sea water, or gliding past craggy rock formations in a little motor-boat.
—Rosalyn Wikeley, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Jan. 2026
An airport-style metal detector opened onto an intake counter, a security guard station, and a few dozen chairs, occupied by people dozing or staring ahead or attempting to console their crying baby while waiting for their name to be called.
—CBS News, 14 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dozing
Adjective
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An autopsy showed that the infant died from asphyxiation secondary to a co-sleeping/overlay event with an unsafe sleeping environment.—
Laura Bauer,
Kansas City Star,
26 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Few studies have tested nap duration time or napping strategies tailored to the unique demands of different occupations.—
P. Daniel Patterson,
The Conversation,
20 Feb. 2026
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Some travelers love vacations that involve doing absolutely nothing—trips where lounging by the beach or pool, napping, reading, or going for a light swim are the most rigorous activities on the agenda.—
Lydia Mansel,
Travel + Leisure,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The post featured a precious photo of the prairie dog resting flat on his back on a fuzzy pillow.—
Bebe Hodges,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
5 Mar. 2026
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There was Hell, in the middle of the cover, his right hand resting on his bleeding chest.—
Taran Dugal,
New Yorker,
4 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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After the staff trial, several employees reported their dogs had a blast and fell fast asleep on the way home from the mental stimulation of new sights and smells.—
Julia James,
Dallas Morning News,
2 Mar. 2026
-
Because thirty-two years ago, the Orange County Board of Supervisors was asleep at the switch.—
John Moorlach,
Oc Register,
2 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The detainees describe a camp where an average of about 3,000 people have lived per day in loud and unsanitary quarters, diseases spread easily and sleep is a luxury.—
Morgan Lee,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Light, sleep, and meal timing influence this clock.—
Merve Ceylan,
Health,
8 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
In December 2020, O’Connor handed a drunk boy a condom and pushed him into a bed with a drunk girl, who locked herself in the bathroom out of fear, court documents state.—
Andrew J. Campa,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Just cut it low to the ground and build a planting bed over it.—
Daniel Scott,
Better Homes & Gardens,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
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In fact, that group spent more than two hours a day on average thinking about slumber, Dzierzewski said, which affects parents’ mental load.—
Lily Hautau,
CNN Money,
5 Mar. 2026
-
The world’s largest acidic geyser in Yellowstone National Park is erupting again after a six-year slumber.—
Munis Raza,
Interesting Engineering,
4 Mar. 2026
Noun
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By the time the mistake was realized and the wayward runners were led back onto the race course, they had been overtaken by rest of the field.—
Kevin Dotson,
CNN Money,
4 Mar. 2026
-
Real rest restores your balance and brightens future choices.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
3 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dozing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dozing. Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.
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