NESTLING Synonyms: 123 Similar and Opposite Words

nestling 1 of 2

noun

Definition of nestling

as in infant

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Dissimilar Words

nestling

2 of 2

verb

present participle of nestle

as in snuggling

to lie close nestled in next to the other kittens in the box

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in crouching

to sit or recline comfortably or cozily nestling with her children on the couch

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Noun

Officials were in contact with the families, according to Kamal, who said the immediate priority was to support the parents and return the infants' bodies to them.

— CBS News, CBS News, 26 Aug. 2026
At least 14 babies at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences died in a nursery fire Wednesday, while one infant was rescued, according to hospital officials.

— Robert McGreevy, FOXNews.com, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of infant

Verb

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
Activities and entertainment Most passengers on Star Breeze are content to sit in the pool sipping cocktails, or snuggling in a clamshell lounger with a good book.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of snuggling

Verb

Body camera video of the July 2024 encounter showed Massey crouching in her kitchen and apologizing moments before Grayson shot her in the face.

— ABC News, ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026
Davis was captured on cell phone video, crouching over French’s body, hysterically telling responding cops to stay away from him.

— Barry Williams, New York Daily News, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of crouching

Verb

On the heels of the death of his longtime mate Jackie, bald eagle Shadow has been perching, singing and lounging at his Big Bear nest with a new companion.

— Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 21 Aug. 2026
Birdwatchers said Kaydee and Shadow have been flying around together for the past couple of days, flying to different trees and sometimes perching themselves on different branches for hours.

— Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of perching

Noun

The proud mom shared pictures of her and Green cuddling their little one in the hospital room, concealing the newborn’s face in the snaps.

— Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 21 Aug. 2026
Authorities told the news outlet that Brown was a family friend to the newborn's family and took the child when his mother fell asleep.

— Dan Raby, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of newborn

Verb

The proud mom shared pictures of her and Green cuddling their little one in the hospital room, concealing the newborn’s face in the snaps.

— Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 21 Aug. 2026
Among pictures of the couple cuddling their baby boy, the proud mother also shared a photo of Pinault introducing Hayek to her newborn grandson.

— Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of cuddling

Verb

That’s true even while lodging in a dorm room at Missouri Western State University, home of the Chiefs’ annual summer training camp.

— Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 19 Aug. 2026
The criminal complaint alleges that Castro fired a gun at the front door of a home in Minneapolis, striking a victim in the leg before lodging in a child’s bedroom wall, and then knowingly provided false information to an officer about it.

— Mark Vancleave, Los Angeles Times, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of lodging

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“Nestling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nestling. Accessed 28 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of nestling

noun

verb

Example Sentences

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