as in sleeping
being in a state of suspended consciousness
the dozing dog was running—at least in his dream
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in resting
to be in a state of sleep
likes to doze through those lazy summer afternoons
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in snoozing
to sleep lightly or briefly
she dozed fitfully in the car but never fell completely asleep
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of dozing
Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 15 Sep. 2025
Eduardo Tansley, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
Sherri Gordon, Parents, 10 Feb. 2026
Shot in gorgeous widescreen (an unusual format for documentaries), the movie catalogs all the way people behave around what appears to be a single bear, first seen dozing with her two cubs.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 1 Feb. 2026
Afternoons here are deliciously drowsy, spent dozing in the shade, gently parting calm sea water, or gliding past craggy rock formations in a little motor-boat.
—Rosalyn Wikeley, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Jan. 2026
An airport-style metal detector opened onto an intake counter, a security guard station, and a few dozen chairs, occupied by people dozing or staring ahead or attempting to console their crying baby while waiting for their name to be called.
—CBS News, 14 Nov. 2025
Adjective
His backdrop was a colorful tableau of posters, a neon sign, and a dozing dog.
—Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 15 Sep. 2025
Noun
There’s no dozing off in his sessions.
—Eduardo Tansley, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
Verb
In fact, on many nights I could be found dozing in the chair with her tiny body curled onto my chest.
—Sherri Gordon, Parents, 10 Feb. 2026
Shot in gorgeous widescreen (an unusual format for documentaries), the movie catalogs all the way people behave around what appears to be a single bear, first seen dozing with her two cubs.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 1 Feb. 2026
Afternoons here are deliciously drowsy, spent dozing in the shade, gently parting calm sea water, or gliding past craggy rock formations in a little motor-boat.
—Rosalyn Wikeley, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Jan. 2026
An airport-style metal detector opened onto an intake counter, a security guard station, and a few dozen chairs, occupied by people dozing or staring ahead or attempting to console their crying baby while waiting for their name to be called.
—CBS News, 14 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dozing
Noun
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Comfy, cozy kitties One of the simplest ways to keep your cat warm in winter is to add blankets to their bed or favorite napping spot.—
Cody Godwin,
USA Today,
6 Feb. 2026
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Science has much more to learn about the relationships between napping and health in older adulthood, when daytime napping becomes more common.—
Jennifer Klump,
Verywell Health,
11 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Cruise operators also generally try to cross the roughest waters while guests are sleeping.—
Nathan Diller,
USA Today,
9 Feb. 2026
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The bedrooms retain the traditional alcova layout, a shallow, arched niche historically used for sleeping.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
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This can raise resting heart rate, increase weakness and fatigue, and reduce endurance—even during everyday activities, not just exercise.—
Katharine Gammon,
Time,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Dormant plants are alive but resting, while dead plants won’t recover and should be removed.—
Lee Wallender,
The Spruce,
10 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Prosecutor Sturla Henriksbo said the five-second video showed the young woman asleep at the time.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
10 Feb. 2026
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Long-haul and overnight flights, for example, give thieves ample time and opportunity to peruse through suitcases and personal item bags while passengers are asleep, says Figgins.—
Alesandra Dubin,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Aulden’s periods of sleep regression also put Humphries in a difficult position.—
Sean Gregory,
Time,
14 Feb. 2026
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The researchers ran an online survey asking runners to track their training and injury status every week for 26 weeks, while also filling out a weekly questionnaire about the quality and quantity of their sleep.—
Alex Hutchinson,
Outside,
14 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The ballot measure advanced on Tuesday suggests a temporary 2% increase to the city’s 14% transient occupancy tax — often called a bed or hotel tax — dropping to a permanent post-Games 1% increase starting in 2029.—
Sandra McDonald,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Feb. 2026
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Northwestern is hoping to build a new tower with more than 200 beds on the campus of Northwestern Memorial in Streeterville.—
Lisa Schencker,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Other artists of this era sought to intervene, guerrilla style, in the apparatuses of advertising, in order to shake consumers from their hypnotic slumber.—
Michael Cowan,
Artforum,
1 Feb. 2026
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Injuries schminjuries Wednesday night was absolutely brutal for injuries, as the gods awoke from their New Year’s slumber.—
Stan Son,
New York Times,
15 Jan. 2026
Noun
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And don’t forget to fit in at least one to two days a week of rest or active recovery (with low-intensity movement, like yoga or a gentle walk).—
Erica Sloan,
SELF,
10 Feb. 2026
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Several short daily play sessions followed by a meal mimics the hunt-eat-rest cycle, and does wonders for a cat’s physical and emotional well-being.—
Cathy M. Rosenthal,
San Antonio Express-News,
10 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dozing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dozing. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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