yawning 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of yawningnext
1
as in nodding

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2
as in gaping

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yawning

2 of 2

verb

present participle of yawn
as in snoring

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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 yawning
Adjective
Yet the shooting also divided the American public in ways that many found disturbing, including a yawning lack of empathy for the victim and even cheering for the shooter. — Patrik Jonsson, The Christian Science Monitor, 10 Dec. 2024 In Palm Beach County, Ian's yawning reach spun up four tornadoes. — Jennifer Borresen, USA Today, 10 Jan. 2023 But McNamara obtained the transcripts and discovered yawning contradictions. — Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 9 June 2022 Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York may be at opposite ends of the ideological spectrum, but a more yawning gap between figures in the party has existed before. — John Dickerson, The Atlantic, 1 Mar. 2022
Recent Examples of Synonyms for yawning
  1. nodding
  2. gaping
  3. snoring
  4. sleeping
  5. wide
  6. sniffing
  7. gasping
  8. panting
Adjective
  • James O’Donoghue, a planetary scientist with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, likened our planet’s tilting phenomenon to a nodding head.
    — Aylin Woodward, WSJ, 21 Dec. 2021
Definition of nodding
Adjective
  • This is the most gaping vacancy of all—Trump gestures toward two American incitements, one historic, one extremely recent.
    — Fintan O’Toole, The New York Review of Books, 9 Apr. 2026
  • Waldo’s digital shopping cart — and McCurdy’s brusque descriptions of her late-night binges — highlight the gaping, cavernous maw of her wants.
    — CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 20 Jan. 2026
Definition of gaping
Verb
  • Being in the same room can make issues worse, with choosing what to watch on television and snoring being the biggest annoyances.
    — Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 9 June 2026
  • The warning signs in men include snoring while women often experience unrefreshing slumber, daytime fatigue or feeling exhausted despite spending enough time in bed.
    — Emily Cegielski, Flow Space, 4 June 2026
Definition of snoring
Adjective
  • An autopsy showed that the infant died from asphyxiation secondary to a co-sleeping/overlay event with an unsafe sleeping environment.
    — Laura Bauer, Kansas City Star, 26 Feb. 2026
Definition of sleeping
Adjective
  • The fires that devastated Collins are part of a wider wildfire emergency unfolding across Canada, where 889 active fires were spreading as of Thursday night, according to the Canadian Wildland Fire Information System.
    — Alessandra Freitas, CNN Money, 18 July 2026
  • Scotland set up in a 5-4-1 with Ryan Christie and John McGinn timing when to jump from their wide midfield positions to press the centre-backs and trap their build-up play.
    — Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 18 July 2026
Definition of wide
Verb
  • Ormund is introduced in the third-season premiere issuing orders at his army’s encampment and then, with a put-upon air, closely sniffing his pomander as if offended by the whole dreary business.
    — Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 13 July 2026
  • Both EagleShield and All Day West will perform inspections using bedbug-sniffing dogs after treatment is complete, Guillén wrote.
    — Sofia Williams, Sacbee.com, 10 July 2026
Definition of sniffing
Verb
  • Gauff and Muchová had the crowd gasping in the thick heat through the tiebreak, which produced some of the most electric shots of what had already been a tense match.
    — Ava Wallace, New York Times, 9 July 2026
  • Several people reported that the boy seemed to be gasping for air, police said.
    — Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 7 July 2026
Definition of gasping
Verb
  • When panting alone cannot shed enough heat, dogs fall back on shade.
    — Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 2 July 2026
  • Dogs primarily regulate heat through panting and small sweat glands in their paw pads, according to the American Kennel Club.
    — Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 10 June 2026
Definition of panting

Browse Nearby Words

yawners
yawning
yawns
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Cite this Entry

“Yawning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/yawning. Accessed 19 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on yawning

Nglish: Translation of yawning for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about yawning

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