drowse 1 of 2

Definition of drowsenext
as in nap
a short sleep was just falling into a drowse when you called

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

drowse

2 of 2

verb

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
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
  • LeBron James woke up from his post-practice nap on Saturday in Dallas and checked his phone.
    Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 6 Apr. 2026
  • Completely relaxed, the dog naps upside down in a pose many viewers likened to a roasting chicken.
    Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Meditation exercises can set the stage for a good night’s sleep, and an inexpensive noise machine can help with relaxing sounds.
    Sharon Basaraba, Verywell Health, 3 Apr. 2026
  • Following the ride, we were treated to a charcuterie spread, champagne and a campfire to unwind and relax after our outing on the trails.
    Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The case for more medical freedom rests on laudable principles.
    Dhruv Khullar, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2026
  • Also, Goldman’s framework rests not on a direct count of jobs lost to AI and jobs created by AI in real time, but on inferences derived from a regression analysis.
    Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 6 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • People sleep with earplugs for many reasons, like excessive city noise, loud neighbors, or even a snoring partner dozing next to them.
    Sherri Gordon, Health, 1 Apr. 2026
  • In the harsh afternoon sun, it was deserted except for dogs dozing on the rocks, and lovers seeking a shred of privacy.
    Taran Khan, The Dial, 24 Mar. 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Drowse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drowse. Accessed 10 Apr. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on drowse

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster