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
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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
Eduardo Tansley, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
Rosalyn Wikeley, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Jan. 2026
An airport-style metal detector opened onto an intake counter, a security guard station, and a few dozen chairs, occupied by people dozing or staring ahead or attempting to console their crying baby while waiting for their name to be called.
—CBS News, 14 Nov. 2025
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
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
An airport-style metal detector opened onto an intake counter, a security guard station, and a few dozen chairs, occupied by people dozing or staring ahead or attempting to console their crying baby while waiting for their name to be called.
—CBS News, 14 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dozing
Noun
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Science has much more to learn about the relationships between napping and health in older adulthood, when daytime napping becomes more common.—
Jennifer Klump,
Verywell Health,
11 Nov. 2025
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From a dog's busy napping schedule while the owner is at work to a cat and canine's vastly different reactions to meeting and all the best canine costumes at the Halloween parade, it's been a spirited week in the pet world.—
Liz O'Connell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Melatonin also promoted sleep in the animals and scientists observed them sleeping at night and taking midday naps.—
Michelle Del Rey,
USA Today,
9 Jan. 2026
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Those years — nights, sometimes weeks, sleeping outdoors — would later inform the script of Being Charlie, the semi-autobiographical film he co-wrote.—
Danielle Bacher,
PEOPLE,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Scheierman’s only career start before Monday came in the final week of last season, when Boston was resting its top players to prepare for the playoffs.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
13 Jan. 2026
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During the journey, photos and videos are being shared online and show Aloka traveling along highways and sidewalks, resting during breaks and greeting supporters.—
Christina Shaw,
FOXNews.com,
13 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Research repeatedly finds that people who get even moderate amounts of exercise during the day fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer compared to those who don’t move as much.—
Korin Miller,
SELF,
12 Jan. 2026
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The couple’s 1-year-old child was also found asleep in her crib, unharmed.—
Julia Bonavita,
FOXNews.com,
12 Jan. 2026
Noun
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As well as testing the various systems on board, the crew will be test subjects themselves, helping Nasa understand the effects that space travel has on their cognition, sleep, stress, immune responses and cardiovascular health.—
The Week,
TheWeek,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Green tea, for example, is high in caffeine and may disrupt sleep.—
Fran Kritz,
Verywell Health,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The changes then alter the distribution of species and damages ecosystems such as reefs, mangroves, seagrass beds and kelp forests.—
Julia Jacobo,
ABC News,
15 Jan. 2026
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Mercury Row Hegg Linen Tufted Upholstered Platform Bed Shopping for a bed can be pricy, which is why this platform option—discounted by more than $700—immediately caught my eye.—
Jacqueline Tempera,
Better Homes & Gardens,
15 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Here are our top on-sale recommendations for all types of sleepers, including hybrid mattresses for a Goldilocks-like slumber and organic mattresses for eco-conscious shoppers.—
Yelena Moroz Alpert,
Architectural Digest,
7 Jan. 2026
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Plush and smooth, the mask’s 100-percent mulberry silk composition will not only promote the sweetest and most indulgent of slumbers but also work overtime to curb bedhead and fine lines — similar to the powers of the best silk pillowcases.—
Stacia Datskovska,
Footwear News,
6 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Plant dormancy is a type of physiological rest.—
Paul Cappiello,
Louisville Courier Journal,
9 Jan. 2026
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On Thursday, tight end Hunter Henry (rest), right tackle (Morgan Moses (illness) and linebacker Robert Spillane (ankle) were all upgraded to full participation.—
Andrew Callahan,
Boston Herald,
8 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dozing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dozing. Accessed 17 Jan. 2026.
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