as in asleep
being in a state of suspended consciousness
a roomful of sleeping preschoolers at a daycare center
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in napping
to be in a state of sleep
the baby slept for the entire length of the car trip found the night watchman sleeping at his post
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in breeding
to engage in sexual intercourse
if I don't read the tabloids, how will I know who is sleeping with whom this week?
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in resting
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of sleeping
Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 3 Sep. 2025
Right now, shoppers can score big on outdoor essentials, with deals on tents, sleeping pads, comfortable hiking boots, and rugged clothing starting at just $9.
—Asia London Palomba, Travel + Leisure, 31 Aug. 2025
However, night nests are intricate sleeping platforms built as high as 65 feet into the trees.
—Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 31 Aug. 2025
Nearly two weeks after San Jose began dismantling its largest homeless encampment, the city is set to open its first-ever safe sleeping site, which will provide tents for dozens of the approximately 370 residents who have lived in dilapidated RVs and squalor at Columbus Park.
—Devan Patel, Mercury News, 31 Aug. 2025
Girl smiling and relaxing while cuddling sleeping dog.
—Hannah Millington, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Aug. 2025
Kids inevitably end up in your sleeping space, and having the extra room kept us from feeling completely cramped.
—Jenny Wiegand, Outside, 27 Aug. 2025
Each side can be adjusted to preferred levels of firmness, and the entire unit responds to movement to keep your sleeping experience consistent.
—Shea Simmons, People.com, 27 Aug. 2025
Literary Hub
september 4, Literary Hub, 4 Sep. 2025
Mafi found the medium-firm mattress to be comfortable and supportive not only for sleeping, but when sitting near the head of the bed to read as well.
—Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 4 Sep. 2025
The Kleox Festival provides a sizable floor area of 83 x 50 in (210 x 126 cm) for sleeping, and campers can either use their own sleeping gear or purchase the available folding 79 x 47-in (200 x 120-cm) folding mattress, which doubles as a sofa seat.
—New Atlas, 3 Sep. 2025
Others preferred not to stay in a congregate shelter environment, where individuals typically share sleeping quarters.
—Sacbee.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Peres Magalhaes allegedly told prosecutors that Christine was sleeping when Ryan showed up at the home.
—Christine Pelisek, People.com, 2 Sep. 2025
That means more than simply eating and sleeping.
—Marvin Krislov, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025
Conway rode a horse across America, sleeping under the stars and inspiring a vicarious longing that seems prophetic of Gilbert’s own path.
—Jia Tolentino, New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2025
Hank not only acknowledges the wino sleeping outside his stoop, but takes a minute to give him money.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 24 Aug. 2025
Adjective
Stuffed animals, extra bedding, sleeping bags, and mattresses fall in this category as well.
—Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 3 Sep. 2025
Right now, shoppers can score big on outdoor essentials, with deals on tents, sleeping pads, comfortable hiking boots, and rugged clothing starting at just $9.
—Asia London Palomba, Travel + Leisure, 31 Aug. 2025
However, night nests are intricate sleeping platforms built as high as 65 feet into the trees.
—Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 31 Aug. 2025
Nearly two weeks after San Jose began dismantling its largest homeless encampment, the city is set to open its first-ever safe sleeping site, which will provide tents for dozens of the approximately 370 residents who have lived in dilapidated RVs and squalor at Columbus Park.
—Devan Patel, Mercury News, 31 Aug. 2025
Girl smiling and relaxing while cuddling sleeping dog.
—Hannah Millington, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Aug. 2025
Kids inevitably end up in your sleeping space, and having the extra room kept us from feeling completely cramped.
—Jenny Wiegand, Outside, 27 Aug. 2025
Each side can be adjusted to preferred levels of firmness, and the entire unit responds to movement to keep your sleeping experience consistent.
—Shea Simmons, People.com, 27 Aug. 2025
Noun
One of my clearest memories from the early 1970s is visiting relatives and sleeping on a pull-out couch in their library.
—Literary Hub
september 4, Literary Hub, 4 Sep. 2025
Mafi found the medium-firm mattress to be comfortable and supportive not only for sleeping, but when sitting near the head of the bed to read as well.
—Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 4 Sep. 2025
The Kleox Festival provides a sizable floor area of 83 x 50 in (210 x 126 cm) for sleeping, and campers can either use their own sleeping gear or purchase the available folding 79 x 47-in (200 x 120-cm) folding mattress, which doubles as a sofa seat.
—New Atlas, 3 Sep. 2025
Others preferred not to stay in a congregate shelter environment, where individuals typically share sleeping quarters.
—Sacbee.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Peres Magalhaes allegedly told prosecutors that Christine was sleeping when Ryan showed up at the home.
—Christine Pelisek, People.com, 2 Sep. 2025
That means more than simply eating and sleeping.
—Marvin Krislov, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025
Conway rode a horse across America, sleeping under the stars and inspiring a vicarious longing that seems prophetic of Gilbert’s own path.
—Jia Tolentino, New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2025
Hank not only acknowledges the wino sleeping outside his stoop, but takes a minute to give him money.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 24 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sleeping
Adjective
-
Outside what is today a parking garage, a group of Union soldiers — unarmed and asleep in tents — were trampled by horses and murdered by Quantrill’s raiders.—
Quentin Corpuel,
Kansas City Star,
6 Sep. 2025
-
Alessandro Michele debuted Valentino’s resort 2026 collection as an assortment of dreamscape portraits featuring models playing guitar, applying makeup or asleep in bed.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
It is said the bees gathered at the cemetery, resting on the tent over the grave and on the floral displays, returning to their hives after the service concluded.—
Elizabeth Bass Parman,
PEOPLE,
7 Sep. 2025
-
Thomas dove in and swam with Malibu, popping up simultaneously from the water and resting their extremities — his arms, her fins — on the edge of the pool.—
Teri Figueroa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
One of the main focuses is breeding coral species that are more resilient to future heat waves, O'Neil said.—
Julia Jacobo,
ABC News,
3 Sep. 2025
-
More government investment in affordable spaying and neutering services, in shelter resources and in strengthening enforcement of breeding laws would help curb the population of pets that need homes, said Judie Mancuso, founder of Social Compassion in Legislation.—
Erika I. Ritchie,
Oc Register,
30 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The camera then pans to the feline napping in their dog Gunny's bed—not in Emmie the bull dog's spot, but in the Labrador retriever's comfy haven.—
Lydia Patrick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Aug. 2025
-
Dog-napping bad boyfriend Lex Luthor.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
9 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Birds of Paradise, for example, have mating rituals so intricate and elaborate that people form clubs just to catch a glimpse of the show.—
Joe Salas
August 30,
New Atlas,
30 Aug. 2025
-
Others suggest that some of them were used in combat or displays that were essential for mating success.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
28 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
An opportunity to wake a dormant gift.—
Seth Wickersham,
The Atlantic,
8 Sep. 2025
-
The Macy’s building sat dormant for over a decade.—
Jenna Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
8 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sleeping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sleeping. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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