1
as in to relax
to sleep lightly or briefly
decided to let the kids nap for a few more minutes before waking them
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of nap
Scott Haugen, Outdoor Life, 4 Feb. 2026
One man used the room’s relative warmth to take a nap.
—Simon Shuster, The Atlantic, 3 Feb. 2026
Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 10 Jan. 2026
The 36-year-old Nickelodeon alum, who reportedly struggles with addiction to meth and habitually turns down local authorities’ offers of treatment and temporary housing, was napping on a stoop Monday, according to footage obtained by TMZ.
—Jami Ganz, Mercury News, 30 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nap
Noun
Both bears were in top physical shape, the sow still carrying fat left over from its long winter nap.
—Scott Haugen, Outdoor Life, 4 Feb. 2026
One man used the room’s relative warmth to take a nap.
—Simon Shuster, The Atlantic, 3 Feb. 2026
Verb
The low, boxy silhouette is ripe for secret-sharing or cat-napping.
—Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 10 Jan. 2026
The 36-year-old Nickelodeon alum, who reportedly struggles with addiction to meth and habitually turns down local authorities’ offers of treatment and temporary housing, was napping on a stoop Monday, according to footage obtained by TMZ.
—Jami Ganz, Mercury News, 30 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nap
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nap
Verb
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Once camp is set up, kick back and relax in the Alps Mountaineering Cirrus Hammock, now $53.—
Amelia McBride,
Travel + Leisure,
6 Feb. 2026
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At Steamboat, guests can relax at sunset, enjoying the alpenglow while listening to live music at the top of the Steamboat Gondola while dining.—
Brittany Anas,
Denver Post,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Families are more than welcome, but consider that rooms can only sleep up to four people.—
Sophie Knight,
Condé Nast Traveler,
6 Feb. 2026
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Last year, immigrant advocates and former inmates told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that, without enough beds there, people were sleeping on concrete.—
Ryan Oehrli
Updated February 6,
Charlotte Observer,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The Seahawks used a first-round bye to rest, heal and prepare, and then routed the 49ers in a divisional-round game before beating the Rams, 31-27, to advance to the Super Bowl.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Feb. 2026
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There have been no such incidents this year, but there has been plenty of on-court drama that only international team tennis — with home and away ties, and a slot just after a Grand Slam that sees many nations’ top stars resting — can provide.—
James Hansen,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
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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
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In a mood to slumber all day, to the tune of conversations held by cartoon mice?—
Stacia Datskovska,
Footwear News,
10 Dec. 2025
Verb
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One guy wearing a World Series of Poker cap was snoozing just a few feet from Circa’s Sports Gambling Hall of Fame, which features plaques commemorating America’s betting behemoths, including several men who live overseas for fear of prosecution.—
Jasper Craven,
Harpers Magazine,
27 Jan. 2026
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My intention in 2026 is not to stop snoozing my cell phone alarm, but to manage getting ready quickly and efficiently without cutting into any sleep.—
Vanessa Santos,
Glamour,
19 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Shot in gorgeous widescreen (an unusual format for documentaries), the movie catalogs all the way people behave around what appears to be a single bear, first seen dozing with her two cubs.—
Peter Debruge,
Variety,
1 Feb. 2026
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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
Cite this Entry
“Nap.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nap. Accessed 10 Feb. 2026.
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