dozing 1 of 3

adjective

as in sleeping
being in a state of suspended consciousness the dozing dog was running—at least in his dream

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dozing

2 of 3

noun

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

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dozing

3 of 3

verb

present participle of doze
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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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 dozing
Adjective
Whitehead took a right at a sign depicting a dozing fisherman, continuing up a shady road toward the bay. — Julian Lucas, New Yorker, 22 June 2026 His backdrop was a colorful tableau of posters, a neon sign, and a dozing dog. — Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 15 Sep. 2025
Noun
Also noted, snoring and unintentional daytime dozing appeared to have no effect on brain aging. — Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 July 2026 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
Nothing etches itself in your heart quite like the memory of watching a pack of energetic African wild dogs frolicking, a lioness and her cubs dozing on the Kalahari with your own kids tucked in close. — Kathryn Romeyn, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 June 2026 Victor Nicholas ended up dozing with his head on her shoulder. — Alice Yin, Chicago Tribune, 28 May 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 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dozing
  1. sleeping
  2. napping
  3. resting
  4. asleep
  5. sleep
  6. bed
  7. slumber
  8. rest
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
Definition of sleeping
Noun
  • By nine-thirty, people were stretched out on the soft grass, napping, reading, and revelling in the previous night’s victory.
    — Eric Klinenberg, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2026
  • When temperatures eventually dip, Shah likes keeping an extra blanket in the car—a place where many babies do their best napping, much to their parents’ delight.
    — Vy Yang, Architectural Digest, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of napping
Verb
  • Consider an older adult recovering from a hospital stay who spends the afternoon arranging transportation to follow-up appointments instead of resting.
    — Aimée K. Dailey, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Lindsay Clancy's Massachusetts murder trial resumed Monday in Plymouth Superior Court, with the prosecution resting its case.
    — Aaron Parseghian, CBS News, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of resting
Adjective
  • Hickerson was said to have been asleep in a bedroom at the time.
    — Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Haleigh’s friend Brittney Ketchum was asleep when her phone rang.
    — Dateline NBC, NBC news, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of asleep
Noun
  • Earplugs, white noise machines or sleep earbuds can reduce or mask snoring sounds.
    — Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 20 Aug. 2026
  • The shift means brighter mornings, earlier sunsets and one extra hour of sleep heading into winter.
    — Jeff Kleinman, Miami Herald, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of sleep
Noun
  • Navigating the system Most new mothers are lying in a hospital bed, recovering from birth with their hormones out of whack, and immediately handed an infant to care for, Griffen said.
    — Lauren Mascarenhas, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2026
  • Bulbs flower at different times and succession planting spring flowering bulbs, like crocuses, with Virginia bluebells, ornamental alliums, and other late bloomers will keep your beds colorful throughout the seasons.
    — Lauren Landers, The Spruce, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of bed
Noun
  • Fall is almost here, which means my flip-flops and sandals are seeing their final days of 2026, and my boots and sneakers are waking up from a long slumber.
    — Annie Blackman, InStyle, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Weather can be temperamental in the spring, but wildlife emerges from winter slumbers at this time of year.
    — Maryam Siddiqi, Travel + Leisure, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of slumber
Noun
  • The product is intended for people navigating screen-heavy workdays, mental fatigue, travel, irregular routines, or periods of rest before returning to focused tasks.
    — William Jones, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Indeed, the lounge has value to both airlines and passengers beyond rest and relaxation.
    — Michael Goldstein, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of rest

Browse Nearby Words

doziness
dozing
dozy
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Cite this Entry

“Dozing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dozing. Accessed 24 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of dozing for Spanish Speakers

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