as in sleeping
being in a state of suspended consciousness
the dozing dog was running—at least in his dream
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in snoozing
to sleep lightly or briefly
she dozed fitfully in the car but never fell completely asleep
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 15 Sep. 2025
Eduardo Tansley, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
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
Babies and young children attend events into the wee hours of the night, often falling asleep in someone’s arms or dozing across several chairs.
—Katrina Donham, Parents, 25 Feb. 2026
Not worrying about these wakeups could make all the difference in dozing back off easily.
—Erica Sloan, SELF, 24 Feb. 2026
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
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
Babies and young children attend events into the wee hours of the night, often falling asleep in someone’s arms or dozing across several chairs.
—Katrina Donham, Parents, 25 Feb. 2026
Not worrying about these wakeups could make all the difference in dozing back off easily.
—Erica Sloan, SELF, 24 Feb. 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
Noun
-
Morning naps were linked to about a 30% increase in mortality risk, and each additional hour of daily napping was associated with about a 13% higher risk, the study found.—
Melissa Rudy,
FOXNews.com,
21 Apr. 2026
-
In two separate selfies, the singer and actress cuddled with Emerson, while another snapshot depicted the newborn napping in her car seat.—
Hannah Malach,
InStyle,
13 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Toprak Razgatlıoğlu, however, is not interested in resting on any laurels.—
Jonathan Hawkins,
CNN Money,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Instead, keen-eyed visitors can spot resting harbor seals, shorebirds, and even a resident pair of bald eagles.—
Cu Fleshman,
Travel + Leisure,
23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
After a lengthy investigation found there was no evidence to suggest that the crash was intentional, detectives determined that Gutierrez likely fell asleep at the wheel.—
Dean Fioresi,
CBS News,
21 Apr. 2026
-
According to five family members and an attorney who spoke with the Herald, guards working for a private contractor most recently used chemical agents in the early morning hours of April 6, when many detainees were asleep in bunk beds crammed into chain-link cages.—
Garrett Shanley,
Miami Herald,
18 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Despite having a decent layer of memory foam, the AS3 doesn’t retain much heat, making for a cooler sleep.—
Alora Bopray,
USA Today,
25 Apr. 2026
-
The minibar is one of the room’s better surprises, stocked with local snacks and small-batch bottles (both alcoholic and non-alcoholic) that feel more corner-boutique than cookie-cutter hotel, plus thoughtful extras like a Sleep & Recover kit complete with sleep gummies, focus mints, and eye gels.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Her mother filmed her joining the call from her hospital bed; Mavromatis’s attorney shared the video with me.—
Irin Carmon,
Vulture,
22 Apr. 2026
-
The clip opens with the character Matt Hagen, played by Tom Rhys Harries, bandaged and bloody, lying in a hospital bed.—
Denise Petski,
Deadline,
22 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The unseasonably warm weather in Denver early this year lured irises, daffodils and other perennial flowers out of their winter slumber weeks early.—
Elise Schmelzer,
Denver Post,
21 Apr. 2026
-
And inside the actual pillow, there are only those air sacs, which inflate and deflate to slightly change pressure points throughout the night – silently and without disturbing your slumber, or anyone else's.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
20 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Colorado surely wants that series to go as long as possible to fully maximize their rest advantage.—
Peter Baugh,
New York Times,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Get your heart rate up while trekking through the scenic Canaan Valley and take a quick rest at any of the dozen shelters, some outfitted with wood-burning stoves.—
Condé Nast Traveler,
Condé Nast Traveler,
25 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dozing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dozing. Accessed 28 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
