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
  • Banish sleep debt with a nap, if possible.
    Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Jan. 2026
  • Early bedtimes, late mornings, and naps, when possible, can feel luxurious on winter’s dark days.
    Kari Leibowitz, CNBC, 27 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Sleep disturbances While marijuana’s mild sedating and relaxing effects can sometimes help people who have difficulty falling asleep, experts say there are several important things to consider before using it as a sleep aid.
    Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 30 Jan. 2026
  • Protect the nest and set kind rules everyone understands, because clarity gives you strength while your intuition helps the household relax.
    Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 30 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • The Warriors were playing without starters Stephen Curry (knee) and Draymond Green (back), while Minnesota's Anthony Edwards was a late scratch to rest a recurring right foot injury.
    CBS News, CBS News, 27 Jan. 2026
  • Another reason is that sectors of the US economy continue to rest on an implicit bargain between the government, employers, and migrants.
    Ben Smith, semafor.com, 26 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Afternoons here are deliciously drowsy, spent dozing in the shade, gently parting calm sea water, or gliding past craggy rock formations in a little motor-boat.
    Rosalyn Wikeley, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Jan. 2026
  • The most determined had already claimed the coveted places at the front of the line, spending the night dozing in their cars, renouncing beds and pillows for hard reclining seats and hungry patience.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 22 Dec. 2025
Verb
  • The supermassive black hole sitting at the heart of our galaxy is considered to be a slumbering giant.
    Robert Lea, Space.com, 8 Jan. 2026
  • In a mood to slumber all day, to the tune of conversations held by cartoon mice?
    Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 10 Dec. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Drowse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drowse. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.

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