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
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of dozing
Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 15 Sep. 2025
Guy Lodge, Variety, 27 Apr. 2026
There’s no dozing off in his sessions.
—Eduardo Tansley, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
Kate Kassin, Bon Appetit Magazine, 13 Apr. 2026
People sleep with earplugs for many reasons, like excessive city noise, loud neighbors, or even a snoring partner dozing next to them.
—Sherri Gordon, Health, 1 Apr. 2026
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
Adjective
His backdrop was a colorful tableau of posters, a neon sign, and a dozing dog.
—Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 15 Sep. 2025
Noun
Lily is the quickest to figure out the detective stories that George reads them every evening in the field, but otherwise smarts count for little in a quiet life of grazing and dozing.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 27 Apr. 2026
There’s no dozing off in his sessions.
—Eduardo Tansley, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
Verb
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
People sleep with earplugs for many reasons, like excessive city noise, loud neighbors, or even a snoring partner dozing next to them.
—Sherri Gordon, Health, 1 Apr. 2026
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
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
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As comfort was key in the sunroom and library where a daybed became a daily napping spot, the windows were covered in custom Pindler curtain fabrics to withstand the sun.—
Anne Hardy,
Architectural Digest,
23 Apr. 2026
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Morning naps were linked to about a 30% increase in mortality risk, and each additional hour of daily napping was associated with about a 13% higher risk, the study found.—
Melissa Rudy,
FOXNews.com,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
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An altered Antarctic landscape could have significant impacts on its wildlife, from the microorganisms and algae that prop up the food chain – food for krill which, in turn, feed many of the region’s whales – to the penguins and seals that rely on sea ice for feeding and resting.—
Laura Paddison,
CNN Money,
8 May 2026
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The device works with a new health coach within the new Google Health app for iOS and Android and tracks steps, distance, sleep, heart rate, blood oxygen saturation, resting heart rate and heart rate variability.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
7 May 2026
Adjective
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He was advised to turn back along the same route and keep moving to avoid falling asleep through hypothermia.—
Gabrielle Rockson,
PEOPLE,
28 Apr. 2026
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In the official teaser, Lowen is slinking around the Crawford family house wearing a silk robe while Verity is fast asleep in bed.—
Rebecca Rubin,
Variety,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Cooler sleep experience and a quieter environment?—
Stephanie Osmanski,
Better Homes & Gardens,
9 May 2026
-
Alarm clock health benefits Research has proven that using devices at night can adversely affect sleep quality.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
8 May 2026
Noun
-
Few county shelters have kennels, and people sleeping outside are often hesitant to abandon their pets just to sleep in a bed for a few nights.—
Max Klaver,
Miami Herald,
6 May 2026
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It can be spread between people, though this is rare and only through close contact such as by sharing a bed or food, experts say.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
6 May 2026
Noun
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Guests can relax by the cascading waterfall on the terrace, take a dip in the heated outdoor pool, hit the pickleball courts, or drift into slumber on a signature Heavenly Bed.—
Sharael Kolberg,
Travel + Leisure,
27 Apr. 2026
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The unseasonably warm weather in Denver early this year lured irises, daffodils and other perennial flowers out of their winter slumber weeks early.—
Elise Schmelzer,
Denver Post,
21 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The Manta Sleep Mask has adjustable eye cups that create a true blackout, so cabin lights and neighboring seatback screens don’t disturb her rest.—
Karthika Gupta,
Travel + Leisure,
10 May 2026
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Hosts, musical guests for rest of the season Who's hosting 'SNL' next week?—
Brendan Morrow,
USA Today,
10 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dozing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dozing. Accessed 12 May. 2026.
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