as in sleeping
being in a state of suspended consciousness
the dozing dog was running—at least in his dream
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in snoozing
to sleep lightly or briefly
she dozed fitfully in the car but never fell completely asleep
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Taran Khan, The Dial, 24 Mar. 2026
She gets literally tucked in, waking up cozy to the sound of rain on the slanted roof and dozing only to wake again to the bright morning sun.
—Alison Willmore, Vulture, 23 Mar. 2026
Meanwhile, in the skies above, Air Canada passenger Rebecca Liquori was dozing in her seat by the exit row after a quick weekend trip to Montreal for a relative’s baby shower.
—Elizabeth Chuck, NBC news, 23 Mar. 2026
In his Friday testimony, Ye 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, 9 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
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
In the harsh afternoon sun, it was deserted except for dogs dozing on the rocks, and lovers seeking a shred of privacy.
—Taran Khan, The Dial, 24 Mar. 2026
She gets literally tucked in, waking up cozy to the sound of rain on the slanted roof and dozing only to wake again to the bright morning sun.
—Alison Willmore, Vulture, 23 Mar. 2026
Meanwhile, in the skies above, Air Canada passenger Rebecca Liquori was dozing in her seat by the exit row after a quick weekend trip to Montreal for a relative’s baby shower.
—Elizabeth Chuck, NBC news, 23 Mar. 2026
In his Friday testimony, Ye 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, 9 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dozing
Adjective
-
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
-
These sleepy puppies are right there with you—expert-level napping, zero meetings required.—
Ronnie Li,
USA Today,
23 Mar. 2026
-
If possible, take some time to journal or meditate (napping would also be valid).—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Researchers at the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology confirmed that octopuses are genuinely asleep during this active phase rather than simply resting, and that the state closely resembles REM sleep in vertebrates, including humans, per The Guardian.—
Samantha Agate,
Miami Herald,
27 Mar. 2026
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The Okinawa researchers confirmed the animals are genuinely asleep during this phase, not simply resting and that the state closely resembles vertebrate REM sleep, per The Guardian.—
Samantha Agate,
Kansas City Star,
27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Blue light suppresses melatonin and makes falling back asleep significantly harder.—
Allison Palmer,
Miami Herald,
23 Mar. 2026
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The post included pictures of Norris carrying her as a baby, the two of them sitting next to each other on the beach, one of her asleep on his lap as an adult and another of her asleep on his lap as a baby.—
Lori A Bashian,
FOXNews.com,
21 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The proof was in my Oura ring sleep score—96% and optimal restfulness.—
Brianna Peters,
Vogue,
28 Mar. 2026
-
As the unconscious Moon enters your 6th House of Wellness, you’re prepped to notice unhelpful patterns, like skipping meals or losing sleep.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
As of Wednesday, fans can request to book a stay at the 5-bathroom home — whose exact location will be provided upon booking — boasts 5 beds across four bedrooms.—
Jami Ganz,
New York Daily News,
25 Mar. 2026
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After pushing Doe onto the bed for a third time, Declyn allegedly held her down while Doe asked to be let up.—
Jon Blistein,
Rolling Stone,
25 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The 7-foot forward emerged from a season-long slumber at the most opportune time, finishing with 17 points, six rebounds and two blocks in a season-high 28 minutes off the bench after losing his starting spot to freshman Tae Simmons (eight points, eight rebounds).—
Mark Zeigler,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 Mar. 2026
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Ever since that fateful 1950s day in New Jersey when Steve Spielberg's father roused him from slumber to take a late-night rural drive out to watch a spectacular shooting star show, the legendary filmmaker has been fascinated with outer space and the mysteries of the cosmos.—
Jeff Spry,
Space.com,
13 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
To reduce risk during outdoor work, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in shaded or air-conditioned environments.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
25 Mar. 2026
-
The seats will have adjustable leg rests that can fold up to a 90-degree angle to give passengers more room to sleep or stretch out.—
Kathleen Wong,
USA Today,
24 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dozing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dozing. Accessed 29 Mar. 2026.
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