DROWSE Synonyms: 28 Similar and Opposite Words

drowse 1 of 2

noun

Definition of drowse

as in nap

a short sleep was just falling into a drowse when you called

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

drowse

2 of 2

verb

ˈdrau̇z

as in to nap

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

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 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

Some shaggy buffalo drowsed in a patch of shade, and a hose fed water into a large puddle where a white goose paddled in tight circles. — Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 14 May 2026 The dog, Russ, drowsed on the floor at his owner’s feet, drooling onto the tile. — Literary Hub, 11 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for drowse

Recent Examples of Synonyms for drowse

Noun

Endless football, someone raving about artichoke dip, young parents discussing nap schedules.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Aug. 2026
Fish that spent more of their inactive, sleep-like periods at night generally lived longer, while those that showed more inactivity during the day — the fish version of an afternoon nap — tended to have shorter lifespans.

— Panashe Matemba-Mutasa, Mercury News, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of nap

Verb

At the same time, the city is poised to relax heights cap at the beach, potentially allowing towers as high as 340 feet where the Hollywood Beach Resort now sits.

— Susannah Bryan, Sun Sentinel, 9 Aug. 2026
Finally, there’s magnesium, a mineral known for calming the nervous system and relaxing muscles.

— Mura Dominko, Martha Stewart, 9 Aug. 2026

Definition of relax

Verb

Razon, not one to rest on his success, is pressing ahead with the expansion of his port and energy interests at home and beyond.

— Naazneen Karmali, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
Situated comfortably outside the Charlotte Hornets’ locker room, resting in a folding chair following an individual workout, Naz Reid recalls the moment.

— Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of rest

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

Definition of doze

Browse Nearby Words

drowns

drowse

drowsed

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Drowse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drowse. Accessed 12 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of drowse

noun

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on drowse

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

gnomic

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

'Gaslighting,' 'Woke,' 'Democracy,' and Other Top Lookups

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes