as in sleeping
being in a state of suspended consciousness
made a comparison between the inattentive nation and a slumbering giant
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in slumber
a natural periodic loss of consciousness during which the body restores itself
my peaceful slumbering was interrupted by a ring of the doorbell
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in resting
to be in a state of sleep
she slumbered for hours while the train rolled on
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in napping
to sleep lightly or briefly
slumbering restlessly in the tropical heat
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 slumbering
Robert Lea, Space.com, 8 Jan. 2026
Trump revived a slumbering American electorate and drove record turnout, winning and losing; Mamdani won more votes than any modern mayor.
—Ben Smith, semafor.com, 10 Nov. 2025
Along the way, the protagonist must also find a way to lift the curse on his eternally slumbering friend, who happens to be the prince.
—PC Magazine, 16 Oct. 2025
Doctor Doom seeks to steal the Chronal Chi of the slumbering dragon Shou-Lao, threatening to unravel the fate of the Heavens themselves.
—Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Lynette Rice, Deadline, 23 Sep. 2025
The late-slumbering parent, meanwhile, can do remote work on their laptop at the table at night while the rest of the family sleeps comfortably.
—New Atlas, 27 Aug. 2025
Mountains look like slumbering dinosaurs.
—Gieson Cacho, Mercury News, 19 Aug. 2025
Similar contamination was also the most likely explanation for the spectacular claim that spores had sprung back to life after slumbering inside a crystal for 250 million years, according to a study published in the journal Nature.
—F.d. Flam, Twin Cities, 6 Aug. 2025
Adjective
The supermassive black hole sitting at the heart of our galaxy is considered to be a slumbering giant.
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 8 Jan. 2026
Trump revived a slumbering American electorate and drove record turnout, winning and losing; Mamdani won more votes than any modern mayor.
—Ben Smith, semafor.com, 10 Nov. 2025
Along the way, the protagonist must also find a way to lift the curse on his eternally slumbering friend, who happens to be the prince.
—PC Magazine, 16 Oct. 2025
Doctor Doom seeks to steal the Chronal Chi of the slumbering dragon Shou-Lao, threatening to unravel the fate of the Heavens themselves.
—Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Verb
The actress had a hard time slumbering after her week one mistakes, and now she’s expected to do a cartwheel into splits after tearing her hamstring?
—Lynette Rice, Deadline, 23 Sep. 2025
The late-slumbering parent, meanwhile, can do remote work on their laptop at the table at night while the rest of the family sleeps comfortably.
—New Atlas, 27 Aug. 2025
Mountains look like slumbering dinosaurs.
—Gieson Cacho, Mercury News, 19 Aug. 2025
Similar contamination was also the most likely explanation for the spectacular claim that spores had sprung back to life after slumbering inside a crystal for 250 million years, according to a study published in the journal Nature.
—F.d. Flam, Twin Cities, 6 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for slumbering
Noun
-
Here are our top on-sale recommendations for all types of sleepers, including hybrid mattresses for a Goldilocks-like slumber and organic mattresses for eco-conscious shoppers.—
Yelena Moroz Alpert,
Architectural Digest,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Plush and smooth, the mask’s 100-percent mulberry silk composition will not only promote the sweetest and most indulgent of slumbers but also work overtime to curb bedhead and fine lines — similar to the powers of the best silk pillowcases.—
Stacia Datskovska,
Footwear News,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Melatonin also promoted sleep in the animals and scientists observed them sleeping at night and taking midday naps.—
Michelle Del Rey,
USA Today,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Those years — nights, sometimes weeks, sleeping outdoors — would later inform the script of Being Charlie, the semi-autobiographical film he co-wrote.—
Danielle Bacher,
PEOPLE,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The low, boxy silhouette is ripe for secret-sharing or cat-napping.—
Yelena Moroz Alpert,
Architectural Digest,
10 Jan. 2026
-
The 36-year-old Nickelodeon alum, who reportedly struggles with addiction to meth and habitually turns down local authorities’ offers of treatment and temporary housing, was napping on a stoop Monday, according to footage obtained by TMZ.—
Jami Ganz,
Mercury News,
30 Dec. 2025
Adjective
-
Research repeatedly finds that people who get even moderate amounts of exercise during the day fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer compared to those who don’t move as much.—
Korin Miller,
SELF,
12 Jan. 2026
-
The couple’s 1-year-old child was also found asleep in her crib, unharmed.—
Julia Bonavita,
FOXNews.com,
12 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
As well as testing the various systems on board, the crew will be test subjects themselves, helping Nasa understand the effects that space travel has on their cognition, sleep, stress, immune responses and cardiovascular health.—
The Week,
TheWeek,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Green tea, for example, is high in caffeine and may disrupt sleep.—
Fran Kritz,
Verywell Health,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Scheierman’s only career start before Monday came in the final week of last season, when Boston was resting its top players to prepare for the playoffs.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
13 Jan. 2026
-
During the journey, photos and videos are being shared online and show Aloka traveling along highways and sidewalks, resting during breaks and greeting supporters.—
Christina Shaw,
FOXNews.com,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Afternoons here are deliciously drowsy, spent dozing in the shade, gently parting calm sea water, or gliding past craggy rock formations in a little motor-boat.—
Rosalyn Wikeley,
Condé Nast Traveler,
10 Jan. 2026
-
An airport-style metal detector opened onto an intake counter, a security guard station, and a few dozen chairs, occupied by people dozing or staring ahead or attempting to console their crying baby while waiting for their name to be called.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
14 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Forsythia Bursting forth in sprays of yellow blooms while everything else is still brown and dormant, forsythia provides a splash of color when the daffodils are starting to bloom.—
Andy Wilcox,
Better Homes & Gardens,
12 Jan. 2026
-
Next up, in April crews are expected to begin transforming a dormant strip of Church Street, once the city’s party hub, into a festival street designed for pedestrians and hosting events.—
Ryan Gillespie,
The Orlando Sentinel,
12 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Slumbering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slumbering. Accessed 17 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
