rest 1 of 3

noun (1)

ˈrest How to pronounce rest (audio)
Definition of restnext
1
as in relaxation
freedom from activity or labor the coming weekend will provide some much needed rest

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in resting
a natural periodic loss of consciousness during which the body restores itself after a long day, I lay down on the couch for a little rest before dinner

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

rest

2 of 3

noun (2)

as in remainder
a remaining group or portion can you hand me the rest of those papers?

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

rest

3 of 3

verb

1
as in to relax
to refrain from labor or exertion a beach resort that caters to gung ho exercisers and athletes as well as vacationers who just want to rest

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to sleep
to be in a state of sleep the patient is currently resting, but as soon as he awakes, I'll tell him you called

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to base
to find a basis you're resting your argument on a faulty premise

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 rest
Noun
Too bad then that Sophie is such a softie, secretly inviting the whirling dervish to their two days of rest and relaxation. — Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 20 Aug. 2026 May God’s angels carry you to your place of rest and true peace. — Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 20 Aug. 2026
Verb
No one can rest on their laurels now, but the Phillies can at least take a deep breath on Thursday’s off day. — Charlotte Varnes, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026 After resting up over the off day the Red Sox will welcome Rafael Devers and the San Francisco Giants to Fenway Park this weekend. — Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 19 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for rest
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rest
  1. relaxation
  2. resting
  3. remainder
  4. relax
  5. sleep
  6. base
  7. leisure
  8. bed
Noun
  • These resorts make relaxation as easy as possible, without losing sight of what makes each locale worth visiting and offering plenty of opportunities for those looking to experience what makes the destination special.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Bananas contain nutrients like magnesium and vitamin B6 that promote relaxation and sleep.
    — Carley Millhone, HEALTH, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of relaxation
Noun
  • Meghan Markle sparked controversy shortly after her UK visit in July 2026, allegedly posting a photo of Prince Harry and their kids carrying flowers to the late Princess Diana’s final resting place.
    — Allison DeGrushe, StyleCaster, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Trusting Kanan, Raq visits Stefano in one part of New York while Kanan visits his late Uncle Marvin’s last resting place in another.
    — Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of resting
Noun
  • Former Stars coach Lorne Donaldson also will rejoin the team as interim director of coaching for remainder of the year.
    — Anne M. Peterson, Chicago Tribune, 12 Aug. 2026
  • But instead of oxygen making up the rest, that remainder is composed of tough-to-breathe methane and molecular hydrogen.
    — Phil Plait, Scientific American, 31 July 2026
Definition of remainder
Verb
  • This not only improves blow flow in one particular region but also relaxes and widens blood vessels throughout the body, Kloner says.
    — Will Stone, NPR, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Their homes were not like the large estates found in wealthier Colorado mountain towns, but smaller structures where their blue-collar families went to relax and enjoy the outdoors.
    — Noelle Phillips, Denver Post, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of relax
Verb
  • Los Angeles City Council members on Tuesday approved a resolution to remove 12 anti-camping zones around Hollywood, ending a years-long ban that prevented people from sitting, sleeping or camping in certain areas.
    — Brittney Ermon, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Thousands of people across the island slept outdoors, fearing aftershocks.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of sleep
Verb
  • And for projects that reach a certain level of complexity, many developers choose JLL’s project and development services team that’s based in Atlanta to deliver their plans.
    — Zachary Hansen, AJC.com, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Live Action, one such group based in Arlington, Virginia, paid to fly West, with her own two children, to Texas to seek medical care, the group’s founder, Lila Rose, told CNN.
    — Lauren Mascarenhas, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of base
Noun
  • In just the past 15 years Miral has built up a portfolio of world-class indoor theme parks on Abu Dhabi's Yas Island leisure destination.
    — Caroline Reid, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Players can peer over the sculpture’s steep cliffs and drop down into its cavernous valleys at their leisure, without the time and cost constraints of visiting the actual sculpture in person.
    — News Desk, Artforum, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of leisure
Noun
  • For the last six years, Six has lived as a recluse in Amsterdam, lying in bed and going out twice a day for decaf coffee (the regular brew is too hard on his shattered nerves).
    — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Shocking-pink bougainvillea and electric-blue morning glory twine up columns, providing a brilliant shot of color, while Javanese four-poster beds and rattan sun loungers are piled high with downy mattresses and cushions in Marni prints.
    — Hamish Bowles, Vogue, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of bed

Phrases Containing rest

Browse Nearby Words

responsiveness
rest
restart
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Rest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rest. Accessed 22 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on rest

Nglish: Translation of rest for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of august

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

How to Pronounce the Trickiest Menu Items

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Aug. 21

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
alt-684346df967d5
Add A Letter Quiz Pick the letter that goes in the same spot in fou...
See All