nap 1 of 3

noun (1)

Definition of napnext
as in wink
a short sleep so tired that she needed to take a refreshing nap before soccer practice

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nap

2 of 3

noun (2)

as in fur
a soft airy substance or covering high-quality suede has a good, even nap

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nap

3 of 3

verb

ˈnap How to pronounce nap (audio)
1
as in to relax
to sleep lightly or briefly decided to let the kids nap for a few more minutes before waking them

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to sleep
to be in a state of sleep I'm just going to nap the entire afternoon

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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 nap
Noun
Sperm whales take their naps by first diving down a bit before the buoyant head turns toward the surface; by sinking tail-first to a depth of roughly 8 meters; or by slowly ascending to the surface after a deep dive (over 200 meters). — ArsTechnica, 3 Aug. 2026 Sleep scores will now incorporate naps, while factors like sleep consistency and sleep stress will have a greater bearing on the results. — Andrew Williams, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
Verb
He was spotted napping and playing with traffic cones near Tasmania's capital, Hobart. — Julia Gomez, USA Today, 1 July 2026 After training, players will generally nap but the staff continue. — Joshua Kloke, New York Times, 26 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for nap
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nap
  1. wink
  2. fur
  3. relax
  4. sleep
  5. rest
  6. pile
  7. slumber
  8. doze
Noun
  • While the title and baseball team setting are clearly a wink to Bad News Bears, the book is an original idea in a different genre that has no connection to the classic sports movie.
    — Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Foregrounding the audience’s lived reality before its fictional love story can even begin, that meta wink feels unmistakably like Gluck’s work.
    — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of wink
Noun
  • There are also plenty more adventurous hats, some lined with fur, finished with sequins and bold patterns like leopard print.
    — New York Times, New York Times, 31 July 2026
  • These rugs aren’t just simple flat weaves; machine washable styles include plush classics like shag and faux fur, sophisticated patterns, and an abundance of shapes and sizes.
    — Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 29 July 2026
Definition of fur
Verb
  • The idea is that your body and mind can fully relax in these situations.
    — Ben Davidson, Mercury News, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Adri Salido / Getty Images Moroccan border controls were gradually relaxed during July and were allegedly removed as crowds surged toward the Tarajal crossing during Morocco’s Throne Day holiday, the reports said.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of relax
Verb
  • By chance, her parents and her sister had left the house just three days before the strike, because her mother couldn’t sleep.
    — Ava Bambuck, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Samsung noted that my BMI could be better, but gave me high grades for my average activity, blood pressure, and sleep time.
    — Andrew Gebhart, PC Magazine, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of sleep
Noun
  • The athletes will enjoy a rest day tomorrow before returning to Mortgage Matchup Center for the second and final day of competition.
    — Caroline Price, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2026
  • Journal, rest, take a silent walk, or name the thought that keeps circling.
    — Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of rest
Noun
  • To remove the metals, harsh chemicals are introduced, churning out piles of hazardous sludge in the process.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Other competitions like Champions League vary based on performance, not to mention the gradual stagnation of that overall pile of money, as Latty pointed out.
    — Justin Birnbaum, Sportico.com, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of pile
Verb
  • Some, perhaps, slumbered through repetitive regional games and inconsequential friendlies.
    — Henry Bushnell, New York Times, 14 June 2026
  • But the nannies had to get up in the night at the sound of my shrieks while my parents slumbered with ear-plugs in.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Apr. 2026
Definition of slumber
Noun
  • Available in pink or blue, the toy—which attaches to crib bars or can be situated near your child’s sleeping space—features a relaxing array of sounds, lights, and music, along with gentle motion, to encourage your darling to doze.
    — Melissa Willets, Parents, 1 July 2026
  • Our thought was probably somebody was going to just want to come in and doze it all down and do something different.
    — Eric Adler, Kansas City Star, 10 Feb. 2026
Definition of doze

Browse Nearby Words

nanoseconds
nap
napkin
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Cite this Entry

“Nap.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nap. Accessed 8 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on nap

Nglish: Translation of nap for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about nap

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