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

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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
One such winner is Steve Kovacs, who took first place in the Blackwater category, as well as the coveted best-in-show prize, for his whimsical image of a monkfish in Japan appearing to yawn. Leslie Katz, Forbes.com, 27 Jan. 2026 The oohs and aahs over a 100-mph pitch have been replaced by yawns. Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 18 Jan. 2026
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
  • But Lerner & Loewe bore twin messages with this show, one being about the power of sacrifice and the other being a pure testament to true love.
    Chris Willman, Variety, 27 May 2026
  • In addition to the incorrect name and state, the apology poster’s profile photo bore no resemblance to Crosby’s actual ex-husband.
    James Lasdun, New Yorker, 26 May 2026
Verb
  • Rowbottom and Lindsey work side by side from adjoining desks in their lofted home office, a French bulldog named Jammy snoring between them.
    Mariella Rudi, Los Angeles Times, 1 June 2026
  • Most people who snore chalk it up to sleeping on their back or having had one too many drinks.
    Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026
Noun
  • Self-serve Portland Coffee Roasters drip is available every morning in the lobby.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026
  • Strung-up nets drip with ersatz fish and nautical paraphernalia, and the sunny interior with colorful highlights echoes coastal Mediterranean architecture.
    Kate Bradshaw, Mercury News, 2 June 2026
Verb
  • The premiere audience gasped and snorted in disbelief as Stan and Reinsve suffer the indignity of an overreaching state — removing teens, tweens and an infant from their loving care.
    Zack Sharf, Variety, 18 May 2026
  • Depending on what your child does, a Fingerling might blink, giggle, shake its head, snort or even burp.
    BestReviews, Mercury News, 15 May 2026
Verb
  • Another video shows Wallen walking back towards the piano, as the audience gasps and cheers in response.
    Raven Brunner, PEOPLE, 1 June 2026
  • The crowd gasped, then erupted in cheers.
    Michael Schulman, New Yorker, 1 June 2026
Verb
  • Deputies once again conducted a traffic stop, and a police dog sniffed out illicit substances.
    Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 2 June 2026
  • The Thunder sniffed their shot as the first team to return to consecutive finals since Kerr’s Warriors.
    Joel Lorenzi, New York Times, 31 May 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
  • Double-bass glissandos hint at hands grubbing in the earth, while abrupt moments of concerted action—notably, an accordion wheezing out an F-sharp-minor chord—suggest flickering signals and transmissions.
    Alex Ross, New Yorker, 18 May 2026
  • The previous owners must have doused the property with chemicals, and as summer wheezed toward its smoky end, my lawn became less suburban ideal and more of a pop quiz in weed identification.
    Maggie Slepian, Longreads, 14 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Yawn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/yawn. Accessed 8 Jun. 2026.

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