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
  • Several of our testers noted their children were immersed in imaginative adventures that had pets swinging, taking baths, and tucking in for royal naps.
    Emily Glover, Parents, 2 Oct. 2025
  • However, Joe proceeded to get blackout drunk at the pool party with the other couples, went back to nap in their room, and told Madison not to come with him.
    Sydney Bucksbaum, Entertainment Weekly, 1 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Outside, guests can relax by the fire pits, stroll along the river, and, in the evening, enjoy a complimentary wine and beer reception.
    Lauren Jones, Southern Living, 5 Oct. 2025
  • In the Carmel area, the trail passes a cool play space and Midtown Plaza, where the family can play a little ping-pong or corn hole, grab a bite to eat, or just relax on the bench swings.
    Beth Luberecki, USA Today, 4 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • To facilitate even heating, let food rest for a few minutes after cooking.
    Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Whereas the prosecution spent more than six weeks presenting its case against Combs, the mogul's defense did not call any witnesses to the stand and rested its case in under 30 minutes.
    Isabella Gomez Sarmiento, NPR, 2 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • His backdrop was a colorful tableau of posters, a neon sign, and a dozing dog.
    Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 15 Sep. 2025
  • So Ronny sat up front while Cali dozed in the back, and the trio didn’t speak as the truck cut through the morning.
    Bryan Washington, New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The actress had a hard time slumbering after her week one mistakes, and now she’s expected to do a cartwheel into splits after tearing her hamstring?
    Lynette Rice, Deadline, 23 Sep. 2025
  • The late-slumbering parent, meanwhile, can do remote work on their laptop at the table at night while the rest of the family sleeps comfortably.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 27 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Drowse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drowse. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.

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