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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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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
  • 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
  • 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
Definition of napping
Verb
  • The sculptures with images are polished in the center, creating mirrors that open up the space, resting on the floor and on the wall.
    — Nate Freeman, Vanity Fair, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Avoid sitting with your legs crossed (one leg resting on the other) for long periods.
    — Ayesha Gulzar, Verywell Health, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of resting
Adjective
  • He had been viciously attacked seemingly while asleep, struck multiple times in the face with a sharp, ax-like instrument, The Herald News reported.
    — Lynsey Eidell, PEOPLE, 17 Sep. 2026
  • Rahaf swings her prosthetics to the song, and at one point, wraps her small arms around Accurso’s neck — following the song’s instructions and pretending to be asleep.
    — CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of asleep
Noun
  • The researchers learned that parents were concerned by low-flying helicopter noise disrupting their children’s sleep and affecting their brain health.
    — Caroline Montojo, STAT, 14 Sep. 2026
  • For instance, one study found that sleeptalkers get more than an hour and a half less sleep per night and roughly half as much REM sleep as nonsleeptalkers.
    — Michael R. Nadorff, The Conversation, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of sleep
Noun
  • There is an argument that, in the short term at least, a large influx of marquee players can disrupt a team’s cohesion while new signings bed in.
    — Chris Waugh, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Start with this quilt set that’s lightweight but comfy for fall, then snag these ever-popular bed pillows with plush filling that shoppers compare to fluffy clouds.
    — Isabel Garcia, PEOPLE, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of bed
Noun
  • If only professional old salt Wyck (Stephen Root) would quit with the doomsday prophecies about the fog being a sign of the island waking from malevolent slumber.
    — Culture Critic, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Nothing good is supposed to happen that late, except when otherworldly tennis players choose the early hours to awaken from their slumber.
    — Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of slumber
Noun
  • Crews still need rest, while tanks still require ammunition and maintenance.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 16 Sep. 2026
  • And rest assured, there are those who will be reluctant to drop him now.
    — Gary Davenport, New York Times, 15 Sep. 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 21 Sep. 2026.

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