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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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

as in resting

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

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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

That questioned turned into a heated debate recently in my Nextdoor website, when a fellow Monrovian posted photos of a mountain lion resting in his yard.

— Assistant Editor, Los Angeles Times, 10 Oct. 2026
The most controversial element of the CFTC’s rule is forcing affiliates to receive last priority at every price in the order book regardless of when a resting order was submitted.

— Dan Bernstein, Sportico.com, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of resting

Adjective

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
Chidgasornpongse crystallizes that cosmic doom further when Grandma Saluay falls half-asleep or stares out the van window, her mind drifting into the ether.

— Lé Baltar, IndieWire, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of asleep

Noun

Frazzled parents unwind at the swim-up bar, while the little ones run amok in the spiffy waterpark, bowling alley, and giant sand castle equipped for sleep-overs.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
The company already offers sleep monitoring and heart-rate tracking with the Apple Watch.

— Morgan Chittum, Fortune, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of sleep

Noun

Indah teaches her how to run the house and even what to do in the marital bed, and Gadis looks after Firman, the one person who takes her ghost stories seriously.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026
Through a pair of large wood doors is the bedroom, with another oversize window and more than enough space for a king-size bed, your very own reading nook, and two walk-in closets.

— Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of bed

Noun

The property has 21 private cottages, each simple, calming, and tech-free, promoting deep rest and focus.

— CNT Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
Head coach Willie Simmons’ squad enters the matchup with extra rest following a bye week, giving the Panthers an opportunity to evaluate what has worked, identify what needs to improve and make adjustments before the start of C-USA play.

— Alejandro Hernandez, Miami Herald, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of rest

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doziness

dozing

dozy

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Style

“Dozing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dozing. Accessed 12 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of dozing

adjective

noun

verb

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