drowse 1 of 2

Definition of drowsenext
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
Bear in mind that those 55 million impressions were totted up long before Nielsen began counting scores of drowsing aunts and hyperactive toddlers among its national TV deliveries. Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 27 Nov. 2025 The feast is digested by now at our house and the tryptophan is kicking in, but the late game is too good to drowse on. Miami Herald, 25 Nov. 2025 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
  • 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
  • Kirby said that an impromptu office nap is his trick to staying sharp over his decades-long career in business.
    Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 19 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • To do that, architects opened up the space, creating wide walkways and varied seating options with a mix of high-top, standard tables and six-person booths, to encourage service members to hang out and relax after they’re done eating.
    Erika I. Ritchie, Oc Register, 17 Apr. 2026
  • So relax, and go worry about that $39 trillion national debt instead.
    Diane Brady, Fortune, 17 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Somebody who is just living greatness and never rests on that laurel but is always pushing herself to expand as an artist.
    Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 21 Apr. 2026
  • In Monday’s goalless draw with West Ham United, he was handed his third consecutive Premier League start as Ismaila Sarr was rested.
    Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • On some of my visits, Marsha dozes most of the time.
    Marc Silver, NPR, 19 Apr. 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
Verb
  • If the temperature, humidity or acidity is not favorable, these bacteria can also slumber for decades in a spore form – underfoot and forgotten by nearly all except cattle.
    Hannah Kinzer, The Conversation, 25 Mar. 2026
  • Others showed baby Spero clasping his tiny hand around Graham's finger and slumbering with a smile on his face.
    Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 13 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Drowse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drowse. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.

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