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

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drowse

2 of 2

verb

ˈdrau̇z

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

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

Ten minutes after Trump opens his mouth, some of us need a nap.

— Bernard Goldberg, Washington Post, 5 Oct. 2026
And that includes higher education, a sector where there are a lot of leadership naps.

— The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of nap

Verb

The third, Surrender, is a massage performed in water, in which the buoyancy and warmth allow the body to completely relax and let go.

— Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 3 Oct. 2026
Because of the data center being built in his backyard, Butters’ television loses power constantly, leaving him unable to relax and watch his beloved videos.

— Payton Turkeltaub, Variety, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of relax

Verb

For the couple, the biggest issue with the house, which rests on a 10,500-square-foot street-to-street lot, was that many rooms in the 2,000-square-foot home didn’t take advantage of the breathtaking views.

— Lisa Boone, Los Angeles Times, 30 Sep. 2026
There’s been significant opposition to the deal from the start, but also tremendous pressure on Bonta to put the case to rest as Ellison threatened to move the studio out of California.

— Dominic Patten, Deadline, 30 Sep. 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

Verb

In particular, the image of the sickly, slumbering child recurs throughout Marcon’s work.

— Matthew McLean, Artforum, 22 Sep. 2026
The winter months pass, long nights, a bomb cyclone that buries my basement windows in snow and leaves me to lurk in the dark like a slumbering bear, and then spring arrives abrupt and clanging and golden.

— Brian Laidlaw, Longreads, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of slumber

Browse Nearby Words

drowns

drowse

drowsed

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Style

“Drowse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drowse. Accessed 7 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of drowse

noun

verb

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