DOZING Synonyms: 84 Similar and Opposite Words

dozing 1 of 3

adjective

as in sleeping

being in a state of suspended consciousness the dozing dog was running—at least in his dream

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

dozing

2 of 3

noun

as in napping

a natural periodic loss of consciousness during which the body restores itself dozing is a natural response to the stifling heat of summer

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dozing

3 of 3

verb

present participle of doze

as in resting

to be in a state of sleep likes to doze through those lazy summer afternoons

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as in snoozing

to sleep lightly or briefly she dozed fitfully in the car but never fell completely asleep

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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 dozing

Adjective

Whitehead took a right at a sign depicting a dozing fisherman, continuing up a shady road toward the bay. — Julian Lucas, New Yorker, 22 June 2026 His backdrop was a colorful tableau of posters, a neon sign, and a dozing dog. — Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 15 Sep. 2025

Noun

Also noted, snoring and unintentional daytime dozing appeared to have no effect on brain aging. — Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 July 2026 Lily is the quickest to figure out the detective stories that George reads them every evening in the field, but otherwise smarts count for little in a quiet life of grazing and dozing. — Guy Lodge, Variety, 27 Apr. 2026 There’s no dozing off in his sessions. — Eduardo Tansley, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025

Verb

Nothing etches itself in your heart quite like the memory of watching a pack of energetic African wild dogs frolicking, a lioness and her cubs dozing on the Kalahari with your own kids tucked in close. — Kathryn Romeyn, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 June 2026 Victor Nicholas ended up dozing with his head on her shoulder. — Alice Yin, Chicago Tribune, 28 May 2026 A little walk to Ayu Bakehouse, especially in the early morning while most of the neighborhood is still dozing, is a great start to the day. — Kate Kassin, Bon Appetit Magazine, 13 Apr. 2026 People sleep with earplugs for many reasons, like excessive city noise, loud neighbors, or even a snoring partner dozing next to them. — Sherri Gordon, Health, 1 Apr. 2026 In the harsh afternoon sun, it was deserted except for dogs dozing on the rocks, and lovers seeking a shred of privacy. — Taran Khan, The Dial, 24 Mar. 2026 She gets literally tucked in, waking up cozy to the sound of rain on the slanted roof and dozing only to wake again to the bright morning sun. — Alison Willmore, Vulture, 23 Mar. 2026 Meanwhile, in the skies above, Air Canada passenger Rebecca Liquori was dozing in her seat by the exit row after a quick weekend trip to Montreal for a relative’s baby shower. — Elizabeth Chuck, NBC news, 23 Mar. 2026 In his Friday testimony, Ye yawned, closed his eyes for long stretches, and at times seemed to catch his head falling forward as if dozing while seated on the witness stand. — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 9 Mar. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for dozing

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

Noun

By nine-thirty, people were stretched out on the soft grass, napping, reading, and revelling in the previous night’s victory.

— Eric Klinenberg, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2026
When temperatures eventually dip, Shah likes keeping an extra blanket in the car—a place where many babies do their best napping, much to their parents’ delight.

— Vy Yang, Architectural Digest, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of napping

Verb

The increasing chances of being taken, whether one is in a church, mosque, school, on a trip to the capital Abuja or resting at home, is a grim reality that should not be the case given Tinubu’s firm campaign pledges.

— Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 31 Aug. 2026
And then there were polar bears again, this time resting quietly in the hills.

— Sarah Kingdom, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of resting

Noun

But what if the longer wavelengths of the embers could both extend the hours of socializing without heavily impeding our sleep cycle?

— Mike McRae September 02, New Atlas, 3 Sep. 2026
The value of eight hours of sound sleep has become more apparent to guests in an era of meditation apps and wearable fitness trackers that monitor sleep.

— Jeanne Bonner, CNN Money, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of sleep

Noun

Whereas Clara’s journey is one into slumber, inaction, passivity, and perpetuating the system.

— Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 28 Aug. 2026
Fall is almost here, which means my flip-flops and sandals are seeing their final days of 2026, and my boots and sneakers are waking up from a long slumber.

— Annie Blackman, InStyle, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of slumber

Noun

In 2019, officials introduced a state-of-the-art recovery room under Arthur Ashe Stadium where players can go during their breaks for treatments and rest.

— Aaron Short, Curbed, 3 Sep. 2026
Pattaya born of the Vietnam War In calling in a port near Pattaya, the Lincoln is coming to a rest-and-relaxation spot made famous during the Vietnam War-era as a raucous destination for US servicemembers to unwind from the pressures of war.

— Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of rest

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doziness

dozing

dozy

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Style

“Dozing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dozing. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of dozing

adjective

noun

verb

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