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
The oohs and aahs over a 100-mph pitch have been replaced by yawns. Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 18 Jan. 2026 Chris and Jason are fun to look at, but their personalities give me an intense case of the yawns. Brian Moylan, Vulture, 17 Dec. 2025
Verb
San Diego State led the Toreros by 24 at the break and yawned its way to an 87-54 win in the final preseason basketball exhibition for both schools. Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Oct. 2025 There are yawning divisions internally about the credibility of coverage, with many in the Jewish community attacking BBC News’ output as being anti-Israeli, pointing to failings, including Gaza: How to Survive a Warzone, which was revealed to have been narrated by the child of a Hamas minister. Jake Kanter, Deadline, 15 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for yawn
Recent Examples of Synonyms for yawn
Noun
  • As the North bore down on Saigon, Thieu begged for American financial support, but Congress was in no mood to pour more millions into the black hole of Southeast Asia.
    Louis Menand, New Yorker, 13 Apr. 2026
  • The one block square bore witness to Sacramento’s history.
    Ishani Desai, Sacbee.com, 6 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • For starters women with the condition may not even snore.
    Katie Camero, SELF, 16 Apr. 2026
  • When Back Sleeping Isn’t the Move People with obstructive sleep apnea or chronic snoring should avoid it.
    Allison Palmer, Charlotte Observer, 9 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Using a drip line reduces the amount of water lost to wind and evaporation.
    Elise Schmelzer, Denver Post, 21 Apr. 2026
  • Arid regions, in particular, benefit from drip irrigation, says Klopp.
    Alexandra Kelly, Martha Stewart, 20 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The plucky kid who seemingly had a fast-track job and a beyond-dreams wife is now desperately snorting it all away.
    Duane Byrge, HollywoodReporter, 1 Apr. 2026
  • May snorted when asked if May tripped Yaxel Lendeborg.
    Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 19 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Within a few weeks of starting the treatments, O’Neal was walking without gasping and talking without pausing to gobble air.
    Courtney Crowder, USA Today, 18 Apr. 2026
  • Agnes gasps for breath as her imagination plays out terrible scenarios that she’s never been given words for.
    Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 15 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Inspector General Deborah Witzburg's job is to sniff out wrongdoing by city workers, and her office's first quarterly report of 2026 revealed a stunning number of findings that involve scamming, scheming, and illegally profiting from work as a city employee.
    Chris Tye, CBS News, 15 Apr. 2026
  • Ballplayers will quickly sniff out a manager who lacks the temperament and ballast for the job.
    Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • In front of them, warthogs snuffled around in the grass.
    Flora Stubbs, Travel + Leisure, 8 July 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
  • Many of the cats were underweight with bones showing, and some suffering from respiratory infections were wheezing and had discharge around their eyes and noses.
    JT Moodee Lockman, CBS News, 26 Feb. 2026
  • Noah, however, couldn't run the length of a football field without wheezing.
    Gail Sheehy, Vanity Fair, 20 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Yawn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/yawn. Accessed 24 Apr. 2026.

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