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
Buyers are in love with this day bed and even can comfortably take naps on it. — Sarah Scott, Southern Living, 11 July 2026 Oppressively hot, lie-down-and-take-a-nap hot, hydration-break hot, the kind of hot that deadens feet. — Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 10 July 2026
Verb
By then, however, Jaxon was napping at the daycare center across town before an Easter egg hunt planned that afternoon. — Julia Prodis Sulek, Mercury News, 21 June 2026 Our itinerary mostly consisted of long lunches, reading (ok—napping), and beach hopping. — Madeline Fass, Vogue, 19 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
  • The hotel's gift shop is aptly named Nothing Finer, a wink to the original Delano's famous air-conditioning sign and a reminder that, at its best, this latest version knows exactly when to celebrate its own story.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 July 2026
  • If James wants to go home to Cleveland, hopefully there are promises — if not wink-wink agreements made — of ownership opportunities with the Cavaliers.
    — Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 14 July 2026
Definition of wink
Noun
  • Sophie Reeder, 15, left her home in the 1300 block of Citrus Isle on the night of May 19, 2017, wearing a brown fur coat and a pair of Beats by Dre headphones over her head.
    — Angie DiMichele, Sun Sentinel, 18 July 2026
  • The species features mainly black fur, cape-like shoulders and a long tail, per Florida Atlantic University’s release.
    — Gabrielle Rockson, PEOPLE, 17 July 2026
Definition of fur
Verb
  • Larry the Cat, who has lived at 10 Downing Street for the last 15 years, has been spotted relaxing this morning, seemingly unfazed by all the media gathered outside.
    — Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 20 July 2026
  • If relaxing is more your speed, grab a glass of Chablis, settle into an Adirondack chair with a good book, and watch the sunlight dance across the lily pads.
    — Alexandra Emanuelli, Southern Living, 20 July 2026
Definition of relax
Verb
  • At night, the entire dining area converts into a 180 x 90-cm (70 x 35-in) bed perfect for sleeping a child or two.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 15 July 2026
  • Gosman’s Dock is only an eight-minute drive away, filled with stellar lunch spots (don’t sleep on The Dock Bar).
    — Jessica Chapel, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 July 2026
Definition of sleep
Noun
  • By playing a day earlier and having 24 hours extra rest before the final, yes.
    — Dan Sheldon, New York Times, 17 July 2026
  • Remember that intensity is relative, so adjust your pace, resistance, and rest intervals as needed.
    — Jenessa Connor, Health, 17 July 2026
Definition of rest
Noun
  • In the meantime, Indiana mined a diamond out of a pile of obscurity.
    — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 20 July 2026
  • As if that subject had somehow simply risen from the grave and walked all by herself onto the review pile.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 July 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 23 Jul. 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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