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nestling 1 of 2

noun

Definition of nestlingnext
as in infant

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nestling

2 of 2

verb

present participle of nestle
1
as in snuggling
to lie close nestled in next to the other kittens in the box

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in crouching
to sit or recline comfortably or cozily nestling with her children on the couch

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in perching
to establish or place comfortably or snugly we had scarcely nestled the children in their beds when there was a knock at the door

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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 nestling
Noun
Wearing latex or nitrile gloves can help prevent your scent from clinging to the nestling and attracting predators. — Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 12 Apr. 2026 While the appearance is modern and synthetic, the materials feel durable and the clean design is mature, with a cover over the cupholders and wireless charger nestling in front of the armrest. — James Morris, Forbes.com, 15 Mar. 2026
Verb
The metal tip was nestling against the uppermost layer of his nail. — Kate Crane, Rolling Stone, 2 Apr. 2026 Cottagecore cozy wouldn’t be complete without a quilt, and this one from Brooklinen is on par to nestling into a cotton candy cloud. — Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 4 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for nestling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nestling
  1. infant
  2. snuggling
  3. crouching
  4. perching
  5. newborn
  6. cuddling
  7. lodging
  8. neonate
Noun
  • Infected mothers can also pass HIV to their infants during pregnancy, labor and delivery, and breastfeeding.
    — Lex Harvey, CNN Money, 16 Sep. 2026
  • Surgeons at a children's hospital in Missouri earlier this year successfully separated infant twin sisters, who had been born conjoined at the head, hospital officials announced Wednesday.
    — Yi-Jin Yu, ABC News, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of infant
Verb
  • Her arc mirrored that of my Mexican immigrant parents, who were also mountain people who grew up in big farming families with no plumbing or electricity, snuggling with siblings during winter nights in unheated bedrooms.
    — Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Sterling could be seen snuggling up to her father as Bronze sat on his lap, while Patrick appeared to be tickling Golden, who lay next to mom Brittany in a flamingo print onesie.
    — Kirsty Hatcher, PEOPLE, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of snuggling
Verb
  • The notorious crouching sniffer known throughout Glendale and Burbank is arrested again.
    — Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026
  • In a video shown in court July 7, Robinson could be seen crouching on the rooftop, Hull told the court.
    — Daniel Arkin, NBC news, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of crouching
Verb
  • No club have spent more time perching on the highest rung of English football than Everton.
    — George Caulkin, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026
  • There was a time, the woman said, when rolling down the road meant perching on her husband’s back seat.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of perching
Noun
  • Listeria monocytogenes can cause listeriosis, a serious infection that can be especially dangerous for older adults, people with weakened immune systems, pregnant individuals and newborns.
    — Angela Rodriguez, Sacbee.com, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Pregnant people and their newborns are also particularly vulnerable; an infection during pregnancy can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery, or a life-threatening infection in the newborn.
    — Amber Brenza, HEALTH, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of newborn
Verb
  • The Rhode beauty founder posed in a tiny white nightdress while cuddling and kissing Justin in bed in photos shared on September 7.
    — Lara Walsh, InStyle, 7 Sep. 2026
  • As Kelce stopped in one of the Plaza Hotel’s rooms to drop his bags in the video, he was greeted by the dog, who looked up at the NFL star before cuddling in alongside him on the couch.
    — Becca Longmire, PEOPLE, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of cuddling
Verb
  • In July 2025, a destructive wildfire tore through dense pines on the canyon’s northern edge, destroying the historic Grand Canyon Lodge — the park’s only lodging there.
    — Chris Boyette, CNN Money, 3 Sep. 2026
  • State park overnight lodging costs between $60 to $120 per night, with deluxe lodging $160 per night.
    — Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of lodging
Noun
  • Males guard the eggs and newborn frogs, called neonates.
    — Ana V. Longo, The Conversation, 24 June 2026
  • There have been publications about nicotine transmission and neonates after blood transfusion.
    — Torie Bosch, STAT, 1 June 2026
Definition of neonate

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Cite this Entry

“Nestling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nestling. Accessed 17 Sep. 2026.

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