DOZING Synonyms: 84 Similar and Opposite Words

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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

dozing

3 of 3

verb

present participle of doze

as in resting

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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

Exercise and napping produced similar memory performance benefits, but through different neural processes.

— Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 26 Sep. 2026
How Sleep Patterns Connect to Hemorrhoid Risk A study published in Neuropsychiatric Research in August 2026 examined whether sleep patterns like insomnia, sleep duration and daytime napping may influence the risk of developing hemorrhoids.

— Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of napping

Verb

Research suggests nasal breathing may lower the likelihood of developing allergies, and preliminary studies link resting nasal breathing to lower blood pressure than mouth breathing.

— Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 24 Oct. 2026
Danyl Bosomworth, founder of ice bath brand Brass Monkey, told The Independent that women tend to carry a higher body fat percentage, a smaller body surface area to volume ratio and a lower resting metabolic rate.

— Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of resting

Adjective

Wyatt was charged again with drunken driving in May 2026 after she was found asleep at the wheel in Galveston County.

— Isaac Yu, Houston Chronicle, 16 Oct. 2026
The only reason to think this may be a game is if the Cowboys are asleep, and Jalon Daniels has some success running the ball.

— Mac Engel October 8, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of asleep

Noun

What readers are saying The comments discuss various aspects of maintaining health and well-being as one ages, emphasizing the importance of exercise, healthy eating, adequate sleep, and mental activity.

— Richard Sima, Washington Post, 27 Oct. 2026
Symptoms included fatigue, headaches, poor sleep and concentration, and a vague inability to keep up with the increasing pace of demands of the age.

— Kirsten Balin, STAT, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of sleep

Noun

Rooms There are 40 tents across 7 different accommodation types at Under Canvas Moab, all with (true to its name) canvas walls, comfy beds, and views of the surrounding landscape.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Oct. 2026
In 2024, the university bought the 260-bed West Hills Hospital and Medical Center in the San Fernando Valley from HCA Healthcare.

— Melody Petersen, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of bed

Noun

Mattresses and linens are unsurprisingly comfortable—the Langham’s bedding has, after all, become synonymous with inducing deep slumbers.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Oct. 2026
There is still time for the Republican Party to awaken from its slumber and stand up in the history of our nation for freedom-loving peoples across Europe.

— Bob Kustra, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of slumber

Noun

But the practice of long rest cures had waned in Switzerland in the nineteen-nineties, in part because health insurers stopped fully covering extended stays at spas and wellness centers.

— D. T. Max, New Yorker, 26 Oct. 2026
Since returning to the Vatican, Leo has gradually resumed his activities while adjusting his schedule to prioritize recovery and periods of rest, the statement said.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of rest

Browse Nearby Words

doziness

dozing

dozy

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Style

“Dozing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dozing. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of dozing

adjective

noun

verb

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