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
  • 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
  • The brand notes that this pillow is perfect for all sorts of sleepers, including those who like resting on their back, side, and stomach.
    — Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 2 Oct. 2026
  • That first reactor is already resting at a shipyard, ready for installation into the ship’s hull.
    — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of resting
Adjective
  • Marris pointed to her daughter, asleep in the back seat of her SUV, and explained Brooklyn’s digestion struggles.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Caleb was asleep in his bed with his mother when he was struck in the head by a bullet, according to WGHP.
    — Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 30 Sep. 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
  • Formerly a one-bedroom with ten-foot ceilings in an 1850s brownstone, it’s been opened up into an alcove studio that can fit a king-size bed.
    — Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 5 Oct. 2026
  • The main loft is located above the downstairs bedroom and contains another double bed.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of bed
Noun
  • The Chicago Cubs picked a bad time to go into an offensive slumber.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Above-average rainfall in June and August, along with several cold fronts sweeping across the region, woke the seeds from a lengthy slumber to transform the landscape.
    — Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of slumber
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
  • Why couldn’t the Braves take that one, especially with Sale at full rest?
    — Ken Sugiura, AJC.com, 5 Oct. 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 6 Oct. 2026.

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