NAPPING Synonyms: 84 Similar and Opposite Words

napping 1 of 3

adjective

as in sleeping

being in a state of suspended consciousness the napping children looked so peaceful

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napping

2 of 3

noun

as in sleep

a natural periodic loss of consciousness during which the body restores itself some people think that napping in the afternoon will keep you from sleeping well at night

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napping

3 of 3

verb

present participle of nap

as in resting

to sleep lightly or briefly decided to let the kids nap for a few more minutes before waking them

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as in dozing

to be in a state of sleep I'm just going to nap the entire afternoon

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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 napping

Noun

The research team stressed that looking at daytime napping habits gives a much clearer picture of overall health than looking at nighttime sleep alone. — Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 2026 Exercise and napping produced similar memory performance benefits, but through different neural processes. — Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 26 Sep. 2026 How Sleep Patterns Connect to Hemorrhoid Risk A study published in Neuropsychiatric Research in August 2026 examined whether sleep patterns like insomnia, sleep duration and daytime napping may influence the risk of developing hemorrhoids. — Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 3 Sep. 2026 By nine-thirty, people were stretched out on the soft grass, napping, reading, and revelling in the previous night’s victory. — Eric Klinenberg, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2026 When temperatures eventually dip, Shah likes keeping an extra blanket in the car—a place where many babies do their best napping, much to their parents’ delight. — Vy Yang, Architectural Digest, 4 Aug. 2026 Any signs of enthusiasm for the meal created suspicions of cook-napping. — Judith Martin, Mercury News, 27 July 2026 Our agenda includes promenading with the official mascots, catching up on our napping, and looking in on the Pharmalot ancestor. — Ed Silverman, STAT, 2 July 2026 My 5-year-old corgi, Luna, is a dedicated burrower—any blanket, pillow or soft corner in the house quickly becomes her personal napping spot. — Jessica Moore, USA Today, 27 June 2026

Verb

In school, this might happen when children are sitting very close to each other or napping alongside classmates. — Emily J. C. Wong, The Conversation, 14 Oct. 2026 Its wide seat supports up to 300 pounds, while high-density foam provides plush support for comfortable reading, scrolling, or napping. — Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Oct. 2026 The large, breezy beachfront bungalows, meanwhile, have unobstructed views of the Pacific, whirlpool tubs, outside showers and hammocks that serve as prime spots for napping. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026 How did researchers go about identifying the effect of exercise versus napping? — Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 26 Sep. 2026 Andrew was napping on a couch in the family home when he was struck up to 11 times with a hatchet. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 4 Sep. 2026 Longer sleep duration was linked to about 16% higher odds, and daytime napping to about 14% higher odds. — Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 3 Sep. 2026 Counterintuitively for sleep-optimization crowds, longer sleep duration was linked to about 16% higher odds, and daytime napping to about 14% higher odds, complicating the assumption that more sleep is always protective. — Samantha Agate, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Sep. 2026 There are five sculptures, one for each of de Monteflores’s children; and Fraser herself was a toddler when the paintings on view were made, likely napping, her mother has said, while the work took shape. — Carmen Rosenberg-Miller, Artforum, 6 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for napping

Adjective

An autopsy showed that the infant died from asphyxiation secondary to a co-sleeping/overlay event with an unsafe sleeping environment.

— Laura Bauer, Kansas City Star, 26 Feb. 2026

Definition of sleeping

Noun

There’s also evidence supporting some non-drug treatments for hot flashes, night sweats and sleep or mood problems, ACOG said.

— Laura Ungar, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2026
Keziah teams up with a girl named Gigi to make Guy’s life a living nightmare, all the while contending with her own literal demon (a sleep paralysis demon who she’s named Steve) and with her growing feelings for Gigi.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of sleep

Verb

Attorneys representing James Barbier, the now-elderly Missouri man charged with first-degree murder in the 1966 stabbing death of 18-year-old Karen Snider in Calumet City, declined to call any witnesses before resting their case Friday.

— Evy Lewis, Chicago Tribune, 6 Nov. 2026
Prosecutors introduced evidence and testimony over about 4 ½ days before resting their case.

— Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 6 Nov. 2026

Definition of resting

Adjective

When his mother was murdered just outside her home, Justin was only 5 years old and asleep in his bedroom.

— Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Nov. 2026
On the other side of the bed was me, in my cozy pajamas, asleep under a white blanket with my head also turned to the right.

— Jenny Hughes, The Spruce, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of asleep

Noun

As for obstacles, experts nodded to persistent bottlenecks in shelter beds reserved for domestic violence survivors and legal support options, financial limitations, especially as pandemic-era federal funding dries up, and widespread access to guns.

— Caroline Kubzansky, Chicago Tribune, 8 Nov. 2026
The unnamed truck has a flat five-foot steel bed and an open-sided cab unburdened by creature comforts.

— Stephen Edelstein, The Drive, 8 Nov. 2026

Definition of bed

Verb

The rooftop pool, complete with the aforementioned views, is perfect for relaxing after a busy day on your feet.

— Jaymi McCann, TheWeek, 3 Nov. 2026
What to do nearby Just around 45 minutes outside of Atlanta, Château Élan is a great place for locals looking for a kid-friendly staycation or those who want to spend some time relaxing outside of the city.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of relaxing

Verb

Nancy Stone/Chicago Tribune Dave Russell waits for a friend at Cabrini-Green while snoozing on a rusted slide on June 2, 2004.

— Rick Kogan, Chicago Tribune, 27 Oct. 2026
Too much light snoozing each night was associated with a higher risk of poor mental health and problems with muscles and bones.

— Mike McRae September 17, New Atlas, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of snoozing

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nappies

napping

nappy

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“Napping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/napping. Accessed 11 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of napping

adjective

noun

verb

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