sleeping 1 of 3

sleeping

2 of 3

verb

present participle of sleep
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

sleeping

3 of 3

noun

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 sleeping
Adjective
Weighing 1,400 pounds, the trailer features a queen-size sleeping area and a galley kitchen with upper cabinets, customizable pull-out drawers, sink, cooler and refrigerator options. Mars King, Twin Cities, 30 Sep. 2025 On the inside, the third row of seating is gone in favor of more cargo space, and an area to lie flat with sleeping bags or other nighttime aids. Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 30 Sep. 2025 Empowerment Plan was founded in 2012 to provide jobs to people experiencing homelessness creating coats that turn into sleeping bags. Natalie Davies, Freep.com, 29 Sep. 2025 These foundations include having a consistent bedtime and wake-up time, avoiding technology use at night, and cultivating a cool, dark and quiet sleeping environment. Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 28 Sep. 2025 His complaint has long been echoed by other individuals sleeping outside, who say crews have taken everything from clothing to sleeping bags, at a time when there are nowhere near enough shelter beds for everybody who is asking. Blake Nelson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Sep. 2025 Over the following three weeks, dogs learn the sights, smells and rhythms of their new home, meeting new human and animal companions and discovering their new walking routes, food and sleeping spots. Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Sep. 2025 Portable sleeping arrangements also require sheets (and back-up sheets, just in case) and other bedding, not to mention each child's favorite toys. Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 22 Sep. 2025 Eventually, first responders gained access to the tower and woke up the sleeping controller, who switched on the runway lights and cleared the flight for landing. Zach Wichter, USA Today, 18 Sep. 2025
Noun
Avoid sleeping on your stomach While this position can open up airways for struggling snorers, it's often associated with its potential downsides, Wermter says. Andee Tagle, NPR, 2 Oct. 2025 And this is supposed to be sleeping time. Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Oct. 2025 Liftoff is also scheduled for pretty early in the morning, which could interfere with your plans for sleeping or getting ready for work. Eric Lagatta, AZCentral.com, 2 Oct. 2025 Using a soothing pillowcase, sleeping seven to nine hours at night, and managing stress can also improve your skin barrier function. Sherri Gordon, Health, 1 Oct. 2025 The state of Florida has cracked down on homelessness over the last few years, including passing controversial laws that criminalized sleeping outdoors and encouraged individuals to sue local governments over homelessness. Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 30 Sep. 2025 Or sleeping on a couch when everybody has a bed at a family member’s home. Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Sep. 2025 There are two sleeping areas in the Berra. New Atlas, 25 Sep. 2025 Carriage 3 was conceived and crafted in-house, cleverly using a sliding Victorian rail carriage door to divide the kitchen from the living and sleeping compartments, which are accessed via beautiful (and functional) fold-away steps. Chloe Frost-Smith, Vogue, 24 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sleeping
Adjective
  • The couple reportedly pretended to be asleep when they were approached by a flight attendant.
    Michael Nied, PEOPLE, 6 Oct. 2025
  • While seven dogs can be seen sprawled across the floor and sofa, sound asleep, owner Erika Reiley’s cockapoo sits upright, watching in confusion.
    Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Brewers fans are resting their lungs to yell at Counsell, while Cubs fans are taking out small-business loans to afford tickets and beer at a Wrigley Field playoff game.
    Jon Greenberg, New York Times, 3 Oct. 2025
  • This elusive mammal was spotted resting by the Godavari River, confirming its presence in the area despite previous anecdotal reports.
    Real-Time News team, Miami Herald, 3 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • This will prevent mosquitoes from breeding in your yard.
    Elizabeth B. Kim, Cincinnati Enquirer, 23 Sep. 2025
  • Roland Emmerich became Hollywood’s king of disaster in the 1990s — mainly by cross-breeding the genre with alien and monster pictures, like Independence Day and Godzilla.
    Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 19 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Melissa, who was napping upstairs, woke up after hearing Stacy's screams and saw Ward on top of her sister.
    Kristine Phillips, IndyStar, 29 Sep. 2025
  • Some of us were napping before our long night of high school coverage and ran a little late to the Baylor-CPA game.
    Tyler Palmateer, Nashville Tennessean, 25 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Fruit flies drown themselves in booze when deprived of mating opportunities.
    Big Think, Big Think, 25 Sep. 2025
  • The video shows two male sharks mating with a female in quick succession, according to Storyful.
    Julia Gomez, USA Today, 23 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • To determine whether a branch is dead or just dormant, scrape some of the bark away.
    Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 5 Oct. 2025
  • Once the bulb has gone dormant and all the foliage has died down, carefully dig the bulb or tuber out of the ground.
    Erica Browne Grivas, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Sleeping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sleeping. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.

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