Synonyms of dozing

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• sleeping
• asleep
• resting
• napping
• dormant
• at rest
• slumbering
• nodding
• drowsy
• dreaming
• somnolent
• sleepy
• slumberous
• comatose
• hypnotized
• semiconscious
• sleepwalking
• reposing
• mesmerized
• somnambulant

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• awake
• sleepless
• wakeful
• wide-awake
• aware
• conscious
• sleepless
• up
• aroused
• awakened
• revived
• roused
• wakened
• astir
• reawakened

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• napping
• sleep
• bed
• resting
• slumbering
• slumber
• rest
• nap
• snoozing
• shut-eye
• catnapping
• doze
• repose
• drowse
• dreaming
• catnap
• siesta
• snooze
• wink
• forty winks
• z's
• oversleeping
• rapid eye movement

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• consciousness
• wake
• wakefulness
• insomnia
• sleeplessness

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• sleeping
• resting
• snoozing
• napping
• slumbering
• catnapping
• dropping off
• dreaming
• nodding off
• sleeping in
• hibernating
• drowsing (off)
• oversleeping

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• rising
• waking
• arising
• arousing
• awaking

2

as in snoozing

to sleep lightly or briefly

she dozed fitfully in the car but never fell completely asleep

Synonyms & Similar Words

• napping
• resting
• snoozing
• relaxing
• slumbering
• drowsing
• lying
• catnapping
• kipping
• reposing
• laying
• roosting
• lulling
• couching

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• rising
• arising
• awakening
• waking (up)
• rousing
• uprising
• arousing
• getting up
• awaking
• wakening

Example Sentences

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