YAWNING Synonyms: 107 Similar and Opposite Words

yawning 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of yawning

as in nodding

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

as in gaping

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

yawning

2 of 2

verb

present participle of yawn

as in snoring

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Dissimilar Words

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

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

Among those who did not always share a bed, 86% named snoring as the primary complaint.

— Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 20 Aug. 2026
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

Definition of snoring

Adjective

Kyiv's military administration said the overnight attacks struck more than 10 locations in the capital, while 33 sites were damaged in the wider region.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 18 Sep. 2026
That's the bit that turns this from niche server hardware into something a much wider group of people might genuinely use.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of wide

Verb

Though Leighton appears in front of their home at the end of the episode, the Dessens don’t realize that the MacNamara of their analog world has been sniffing around, too.

— Scott Tobias, Vulture, 11 Sep. 2026
But when the Orcs come sniffing, those same qualities transform him from fun-loving hobbit to fierce protector.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of sniffing

Verb

Previous visitors have reported temperature drops, phantom footsteps and the sound of a person gasping for air.

— Joseph Hernandez, Kansas City Star, 23 Sep. 2026
Blocking and grunting turned into gasping as Roach sacked Bo Nix for a safety, putting his own football life in jeopardy.

— Troy Renck, Denver Post, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of gasping

Verb

The delivery person added that none of the canines appeared to have access to food or sufficient water, and that all the animals were panting.

— Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 3 Aug. 2026
Dogs primarily rely on panting, while cats also groom themselves to help regulate body temperature.

— Lauren Paige Richeson, USA Today, 21 July 2026

Definition of panting

Browse Nearby Words

yawners

yawning

yawns

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Style

“Yawning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/yawning. Accessed 24 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of yawning

adjective

verb

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