yawn 1 of 2

Definition of yawnnext
as in bore
someone or something boring as neither candidate was willing to make an unequivocal statement about anything, the debate proved to be a complete yawn

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

yawn

2 of 2

verb

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 yawn
Noun
Tumble outta bed and stumble to the kitchen, pour yourself a cup of ambition and yawn and stretch and get ready to go out onstage. Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 7 July 2026 On a recent summer day at Crossroads School for Arts & Sciences, students ambled through yawns, braces and acne into their creative writing class. Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026
Verb
Eventually Ursula yawns and lumbers out of the den, with the cubs following. Brooke Baitinger, Sacbee.com, 10 Apr. 2026 But now a desolate school year, long and full of needs not her own, yawned. Literary Hub, 1 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for yawn
Recent Examples of Synonyms for yawn
Noun
  • The bore heading eastbound into Chinatown will close for about seven months, with one lane of traffic open in each direction in the other bore.
    Sooji Nam, CBS News, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Many of the green packages bore stickers featuring the soccer star, who plays as a striker for Manchester City and the Norwegian national team.
    Christina Coulter, PEOPLE, 13 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • The latter, voiced by Martin Scorsese in the film, is largely asleep and snoring in the food truck-like stand, while Grogu uses the Force to whisk orders across the counter.
    Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Women with sleep apnea often don’t snore loudly, which is one reason so many go undiagnosed.
    Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 4 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Tubman is all but indecipherable, roughly limned with white paint and covered by red, black, and yellow smudges and drips.
    Zachary Fine, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Reminiscent of an old-time diner, Rodriguez said there will be traditional drip coffee, which a server can easily refill.
    Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • The former Oasis frontman told a particularly funny story about a flare up back in 1994, where a few fans of the band tried to snort his psoriasis.
    Andrea Wurzburger, PEOPLE, 3 Aug. 2026
  • And that says nothing of its snort-like laughs, which reminded me too much of the huffs and puffs of the ride’s donkeys.
    Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2026
Verb
  • The defense struggled a bit in the first half with the reserves on the field even after producing a second-quarter interception, and the offense also gasped and wheezed with the reserves on the field.
    Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Police say Coffer was pulled to safety by his boat partner, who told police Simpson fled the scene and the boy was gasping for air.
    ABC News, ABC News, 7 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • In one study conducted at Monell Chemical Senses Center, researchers had people sniff underarm odor samples across age groups.
    Jennifer Byrne, Popular Science, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Barkley sniffed the patient all over, and pointed right at her neck, around where the thyroid is located.
    Becca Savransky, Idaho Statesman, 11 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Fava snuffled and dawdled and took her own sweet time up the sidewalk.
    Dan Kois, New Yorker, 17 Sep. 2025
  • Next to arrive is her disembodied trunk, with a mind of its own, snuffling out friends and enemies and food.
    Jesse Green, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2024
Verb
  • Lung inflammation makes breathing tougher and coughing and wheezing more frequent.
    Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Her baby lies still in her arms, his breathing faintly wheezing.
    Fatma Tanis, NPR, 4 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Yawn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/yawn. Accessed 20 Aug. 2026.

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