yawning 1 of 2

Definition of yawningnext

yawning

2 of 2

verb

present participle of yawn

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
As such, anticipated spending cuts have not materialized and British Chancellor Rachel Reeves is expected to announced tax hikes in her next Autumn Budget to fill a yawning fiscal hole that could be as much as £50 billion ($67.2 billion), although estimates vary. Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 30 Sep. 2025 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 Wet Leg make fun of something that Harry Styles couldn’t quite capture in his cover of their song on BBC Radio 1: the yawning banality of male attention. Los Angeles Times, 4 Dec. 2022 Dellandrea still impresses: Stars forward Ty Dellandrea picked up his third assist of the season on Tuesday, working his way to a puck and finding Wyatt Johnston for a yawning cage in the second period. Dallas News, 25 Oct. 2022 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
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
Adjective
  • 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
  • Lawyers at Walsh Gallegos coordinated two releases of emails and other documents on behalf of the school board, but CNN reported how gaping holes remained, surprising and angering board members.
    Shimon Prokupecz, CNN Money, 9 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Grandpa snoring near the fireplace, kids watching Rudolph.
    Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Dec. 2025
  • This time, the dog fell asleep on the couch right next to the window, snoring the day away.
    Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Dec. 2025
Adjective
  • As Francisco explained, the Spring Fest is an annual open house in the spring that allows students to discover a wide range of resources.
    Staff report, Daily News, 23 Jan. 2026
  • The clusters are about 8 nanometers wide, similar in size to transistor structures.
    Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 22 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • One worker joined the FBI and made a career in counterintelligence, sniffing out Chinese spies.
    Hanna Rosin, The Atlantic, 22 Jan. 2026
  • The play started with Allen sniffing out Denver’s third-down blitz.
    Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 18 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • That one is a flimsy piano ballad where the duo’s approach to vocals—strangled, swirled and gasping—comes off more annoying than innovative, like a joke that isn’t funny anymore.
    Andrew Ryce, Pitchfork, 12 Jan. 2026
  • Those in the audience were heard clapping, cheering and even gasping during the performance.
    Dillon Thomas, CBS News, 9 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Her dog panting, unquestioning, always thrilled to see her.
    Allegra Goodman, New Yorker, 4 Jan. 2026
  • Gus was awake and panting at his feet.
    CBS News, CBS News, 5 Dec. 2025
Verb
  • The main symptoms are wheezing, difficult breathing and fever.
    Stephanie Stahl, CBS News, 7 Jan. 2026
  • Southampton gave it a good go last season, but ultimately fell short, wheezing over the line with 12.
    Nick Miller, New York Times, 2 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Yawning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/yawning. Accessed 28 Jan. 2026.

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