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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

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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

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rest

2 of 3

noun (2)

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

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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

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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

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

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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 rest
Noun
The cave had effectively served as a prehistoric rest and maintenance station. — Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 18 Sep. 2026 For many Americans, the matter was already laid to rest years ago. — Andrew Lawler, The Atlantic, 18 Sep. 2026
Verb
Where canoes once rested beside fishing nets drying in the sun, housing developments and new infrastructure have appeared. — Sebastián López Brach, The Dial, 15 Sep. 2026 With a Budweiser in his hand and protective goggles resting on his forehead, Fulmer soaked in not only the booze, but the first big league postseason party of his nine-year career. — Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 15 Sep. 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
  • Ash, the hotel spa, has a steam room and sauna, nail studio, fitness center, boutique, relaxation lounge and five treatment rooms.
    — Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Sep. 2026
  • Spring for a scrub and a massage for extra relaxation, and unwind in the lounge afterward for snacks and tea to refuel before jumping back into activities like birdwatching, kayaking, and lawn games.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of relaxation
Noun
  • The Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the final resting place of Saint Francis, who founded the Franciscan Order and continually championed peace, fraternity, and care of the natural world.
    — Francesca Aton, ARTnews.com, 16 Sep. 2026
  • Officials called the dedication the first step in an ambitious process to improve the Tennessee airport near Parton’s final resting place.
    — Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of resting
Noun
  • The agreement would provide Warner's daughter with the majority remainder of the Warner Family Trust and estate but remains subject to court approval, Pamela Warner's attorneys said.
    — Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 20 Aug. 2026
  • 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
Definition of remainder
Verb
  • Andrew took the opportunity to relax, laying down on the sofa in the living area.
    — Alex Gurley, PEOPLE, 19 Sep. 2026
  • Clean, relax and play with this calming bubble bath made from a nontoxic, hypoallergenic and tear-free solution that has been formulated without parabens, sulfates or fragrance.
    — BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of relax
Verb
  • But don’t sleep on the Bears basically gifting Washington 13 yards to McLaurin on the sidelines to stop the clock with two seconds remaining, setting up all the drama.
    — Barry Svrluga, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026
  • There were museums and theaters, and clubs, and the feeling that the city never slept.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of sleep
Verb
  • The lawsuit also sought to block roving patrols making stops and arrests based solely on race, language and occupation, and to protect access to counsel rights for people in detention.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 18 Sep. 2026
  • But the thing about Michael that everybody really seems to be hung up on, and rightfully so, is the story about him buying Vicki an engagement ring and then withholding it based on her behavior.
    — Tom Smyth, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of base
Noun
  • Javi Borges, global Americas media and entertainment sector leader for accounting and consulting giant EY, asserts that entertainment companies need to also understand the sea change that is afoot in consumer tastes for leisure-time pursuits.
    — Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 16 Sep. 2026
  • Freedom, mobility; who gets to be an artist; style, ornamentation, artifice; work, leisure; the counterculture; the denigration of femininity; West Coast oddballism.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of leisure
Noun
  • There are odd-looking white spots on a section of my pachysandra bed.
    — Tim Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 20 Sep. 2026
  • So what needs to happen is the county, which controls the drug programs, needs to have far more [treatment] beds.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 20 Sep. 2026
Definition of bed

Phrases Containing rest

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responsiveness
rest
restart
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Cite this Entry

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

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