napping 1 of 3

Definition of nappingnext

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

napping

3 of 3

verb

present participle of nap

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 napping
Noun
United Airlines announced a brand new seat option for travelers that made napping and stretching out on a plane a whole lot easier. Bebe Hodges, Cincinnati Enquirer, 25 Mar. 2026 These sleepy puppies are right there with you—expert-level napping, zero meetings required. Ronnie Li, USA Today, 23 Mar. 2026 If possible, take some time to journal or meditate (napping would also be valid). Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 10 Mar. 2026 Few studies have tested nap duration time or napping strategies tailored to the unique demands of different occupations. P. Daniel Patterson, The Conversation, 20 Feb. 2026 Some travelers love vacations that involve doing absolutely nothing—trips where lounging by the beach or pool, napping, reading, or going for a light swim are the most rigorous activities on the agenda. Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 17 Feb. 2026 Researchers looked at the napping habits of 20 young adults, focusing on the tiny gaps between neurons called synapses. Hunter Boyce, AJC.com, 11 Feb. 2026 Science has much more to learn about the relationships between napping and health in older adulthood, when daytime napping becomes more common. Jennifer Klump, Verywell Health, 11 Nov. 2025 From a dog's busy napping schedule while the owner is at work to a cat and canine's vastly different reactions to meeting and all the best canine costumes at the Halloween parade, it's been a spirited week in the pet world. Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Oct. 2025
Verb
One of the babies was left napping in the nursery. Denise Schrier Cetta, CBS News, 15 Mar. 2026 For older children, napping may reflect individual sleep needs, efforts to make up for shorter nighttime sleep or structured rest periods in after-school programs. Lily Hautau, CNN Money, 5 Mar. 2026 The loose, wide-leg cut is chic enough to wear around the Airbnb and relaxed enough to fall asleep in, while the easy pull-on style makes the transition from all-day exploring to pre-dinner napping seamless. Julia Morlino, Travel + Leisure, 22 Feb. 2026 During the growing season, the more than 240,000 panels of the Clover Creek Solar Project are kept free of sagebrush by sheep that happily graze between the lines, napping in the shade of the panels during the hottest parts of the day. Elizabeth Weise, USA Today, 21 Feb. 2026 Leading experts in sleep medicine, such as the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, and numerous public safety professional groups, such as the National Association of EMS Physicians, support napping on duty. P. Daniel Patterson, The Conversation, 20 Feb. 2026 In turbulent political times, stability comes with four legs, whiskers and a fondness for napping. Jill Lawless, Chicago Tribune, 15 Feb. 2026 Outside a tent, Dunk is told, by two of the show’s jaded yet cheerful prostitutes, that Ser Manfred is busy napping. Sarah Larson, New Yorker, 27 Jan. 2026 The low, boxy silhouette is ripe for secret-sharing or cat-napping. Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 10 Jan. 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
Noun
  • The proof was in my Oura ring sleep score—96% and optimal restfulness.
    Brianna Peters, Vogue, 28 Mar. 2026
  • As the unconscious Moon enters your 6th House of Wellness, you’re prepped to notice unhelpful patterns, like skipping meals or losing sleep.
    Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 27 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Researchers at the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology confirmed that octopuses are genuinely asleep during this active phase rather than simply resting, and that the state closely resembles REM sleep in vertebrates, including humans, per The Guardian.
    Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 27 Mar. 2026
  • The Okinawa researchers confirmed the animals are genuinely asleep during this phase, not simply resting and that the state closely resembles vertebrate REM sleep, per The Guardian.
    Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • He was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence in 2017 after being found asleep in a car that had its motor running and was still in a driving lane.
    Pat Saperstein, Variety, 31 Mar. 2026
  • This can have an impact on falling (and staying) asleep, as well as sleep quality.
    Desireé Oostland, Vogue, 31 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • New Era, a 200-bed facility, has had recurring outbreaks of Legionella, the bacteria that grow within water and air conditioning systems and can cause Legionnaires’ Disease, records show.
    Carol Marbin Miller, Miami Herald, 2 Apr. 2026
  • The sight of a heated and jet-equipped hydrotherapy pool greets you at check in, and is flanked by relaxation day beds, a sauna, and a steam room.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Gear up for relaxing summer nights with this outdoor patio sofa.
    BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026
  • Time to calm down with my favorite relaxing video.
    Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 28 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Clear, blue skies and tolerable temperatures are enveloping the Pharmalot campus this morning, where the official mascots are snoozing here and there after hunting for breakfast and keeping neighbors at bay.
    Ed Silverman, STAT, 26 Feb. 2026
  • Rather, the cast spend their nights snoozing (or restless) at the Courtyard by Marriott in Inverness.
    Alison McDermott, Architectural Digest, 19 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • The 7-foot forward emerged from a season-long slumber at the most opportune time, finishing with 17 points, six rebounds and two blocks in a season-high 28 minutes off the bench after losing his starting spot to freshman Tae Simmons (eight points, eight rebounds).
    Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Mar. 2026
  • Ever since that fateful 1950s day in New Jersey when Steve Spielberg's father roused him from slumber to take a late-night rural drive out to watch a spectacular shooting star show, the legendary filmmaker has been fascinated with outer space and the mysteries of the cosmos.
    Jeff Spry, Space.com, 13 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Napping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/napping. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.

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