DROWSE Synonyms: 28 Similar and Opposite Words

drowse 1 of 2

noun

Definition of drowse

as in nap

a short sleep was just falling into a drowse when you called

Synonyms & Similar Words

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drowse

2 of 2

verb

ˈdrau̇z

as in to nap

to sleep lightly or briefly picnickers drowsing in the shade of an oak tree

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 drowse

Noun

The wealthy suburb of Phoenix drowses in the heat of the Sonoran Desert, sprinkled with luxury resorts catering to snowbirds in what Arizonans call the Valley of the Sun. — Lynette Rice, EW.com, 26 Aug. 2019

Verb

Some shaggy buffalo drowsed in a patch of shade, and a hose fed water into a large puddle where a white goose paddled in tight circles. — Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 14 May 2026 The dog, Russ, drowsed on the floor at his owner’s feet, drooling onto the tile. — Literary Hub, 11 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for drowse

Recent Examples of Synonyms for drowse

Noun

Other cats found the aquarium's dim blue environment calming and closed their eyes for a little nap.

— ABC News, ABC News, 6 Oct. 2026
Get your beauty sleep with Beautyrest pillows, or take a nap with the ultra-comfy Benvwe Faux Fur Blanket.

— Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of nap

Verb

They were laid to rest at Ho Chi Minh City Martyrs’ Cemetery in the city previously known as Saigon.

— Aniruddha Ghosal, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026
However, with each Champions League victory crucial to progressing toward the next round, neither would want to rest their big guns, either.

— Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of rest

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

Definition of doze

Verb

In particular, the image of the sickly, slumbering child recurs throughout Marcon’s work.

— Matthew McLean, Artforum, 22 Sep. 2026
The winter months pass, long nights, a bomb cyclone that buries my basement windows in snow and leaves me to lurk in the dark like a slumbering bear, and then spring arrives abrupt and clanging and golden.

— Brian Laidlaw, Longreads, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of slumber

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drowns

drowse

drowsed

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Style

“Drowse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drowse. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of drowse

noun

verb

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