drowse 1 of 2

as in nap
a short sleep was just falling into a drowse when you called

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drowse

2 of 2

verb

as in to nap
to sleep lightly or briefly picnickers drowsing in the shade of an oak tree

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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 drowse
Noun
The wealthy suburb of Phoenix drowses in the heat of the Sonoran Desert, sprinkled with luxury resorts catering to snowbirds in what Arizonans call the Valley of the Sun. Lynette Rice, EW.com, 26 Aug. 2019
Verb
Jena looked over at the man’s camel, drowsing alongside the tent. Literary Hub, 8 Aug. 2025 Stars lounged and drowsed: Muhammad Ali with a newspaper, Peter Cook in his old mac on a lilo in a Hollywood pool. The Economist, 21 Nov. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for drowse
Noun
  • Peter goes back to work right away, and Marissa tries to keep her career alive during Milo's short naps, between reading articles on how to help with infant sleep and trying to get a few moments of shut eye herself.
    Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
  • All caregivers should follow these rules for all naps and at nighttime.
    Melissa Willets, Parents, 4 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Acidic and fizzy drinks can increase pressure in the stomach and cause the muscle at the top of the stomach to relax, allowing acid to come back up.
    Merve Ceylan, Health, 9 Nov. 2025
  • Good food and drink plus a chance to relax will please you.
    Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 8 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Coverage decisions ultimately rest not with the White House, but with the states.
    Nicholas Florko, The Atlantic, 7 Nov. 2025
  • In the video, the mako shark bursts from the water and lands on the bow of the boat, flopping around before coming to rest near the front of the vessel.
    Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 6 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • The couple dozed like babies in the leaves—that cry, that wail, had become their sleep trigger.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2025
  • Rather, the protagonist dozes right through it.
    John Swansburg, The Atlantic, 10 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • As slow growth dampened ambitions in both countries, the AU slumbered without strong leadership.
    Amaka Anku, Foreign Affairs, 24 Oct. 2025
  • Along the way, the protagonist must also find a way to lift the curse on his eternally slumbering friend, who happens to be the prince.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 16 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Drowse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drowse. Accessed 17 Nov. 2025.

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