napping 1 of 3

napping

2 of 3

noun

as in sleep
a natural periodic loss of consciousness during which the body restores itself some people think that napping in the afternoon will keep you from sleeping well at night

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

napping

3 of 3

verb

present participle of nap

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 napping
Noun
Our agenda includes promenading with the official mascots, catching up on our napping, and looking in on the Pharmalot ancestor. Ed Silverman, STAT, 2 July 2026 My 5-year-old corgi, Luna, is a dedicated burrower—any blanket, pillow or soft corner in the house quickly becomes her personal napping spot. Jessica Moore, USA Today, 27 June 2026 The findings don’t mean long naps cause liver disease, but that napping might indicate that poor sleep, insulin resistance, or sleep apnea needs attention. Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 15 June 2026 As comfort was key in the sunroom and library where a daybed became a daily napping spot, the windows were covered in custom Pindler curtain fabrics to withstand the sun. Anne Hardy, Architectural Digest, 23 Apr. 2026 Morning naps were linked to about a 30% increase in mortality risk, and each additional hour of daily napping was associated with about a 13% higher risk, the study found. Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 21 Apr. 2026 In two separate selfies, the singer and actress cuddled with Emerson, while another snapshot depicted the newborn napping in her car seat. Hannah Malach, InStyle, 13 Apr. 2026 And your napping neighbor will appreciate the focused light. Carin Ryan, Travel + Leisure, 7 Apr. 2026 United Airlines announced a brand new seat option for travelers that made napping and stretching out on a plane a whole lot easier. Bebe Hodges, Cincinnati Enquirer, 25 Mar. 2026
Verb
He was spotted napping and playing with traffic cones near Tasmania's capital, Hobart. Julia Gomez, USA Today, 1 July 2026 By then, however, Jaxon was napping at the daycare center across town before an Easter egg hunt planned that afternoon. Julia Prodis Sulek, Mercury News, 21 June 2026 Our itinerary mostly consisted of long lunches, reading (ok—napping), and beach hopping. Madeline Fass, Vogue, 19 June 2026 Two college students in California died after being swept into the Pacific Ocean by rising tides and powerful surf while apparently napping near a popular but perilous beach access point, according to authorities. Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 16 June 2026 But, during the close and intense matchup, the president appeared to be caught napping in his seat. Derek Lawrence, Entertainment Weekly, 9 June 2026 The pair posted more photos of their bundles of joy over the next month, including one of the twins napping in matching Knicks jerseys next to a basketball, and another of the new parents cuddling their babies at home. Emy Lacroix, PEOPLE, 8 June 2026 When one of them crouched to pet the Federicos’ dog Marshall, napping on the floor, Rob explained how Kong dog toys were invented. Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 3 June 2026 Modway’s luxe daybed is the statement piece that turns a patio into a paradise, and the roomy design offers a go-to spot for reading, napping, and conversing. Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for napping
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
Noun
  • The fastest-growing premium categories increasingly orbit sleep, recovery, longevity, movement and optimisation.
    Kate Hardcastle, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
  • Taking regular cool showers and baths, wetting clothes or towels with cold water and putting your pillowcases in the fridge or freezer can all help further cool your body down, and hopefully, get a good night’s sleep.
    Claire Cameron, Scientific American, 2 July 2026
Verb
  • Following the convincing 3-0 victory over Czechia while resting some starters, the atmosphere on the Mexican team has been very relaxed, with several videos showing the players joking around with each other.
    Eduard Cauich, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2026
  • On the facing page was Gompers’s block print/line drawing of the Tibetan saint and poet Milarepa sitting in a lotus position, a Sierra cup at his feet, and a Campingaz Bleuet stove resting on a boulder.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 29 June 2026
Adjective
  • Ed Lomena, the attorney representing the pilot — who asked not to be identified by name for fear of job repercussions — says his client was asleep when the creatures entered the room.
    Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 1 July 2026
  • His attorney, Ed Lowena, said his client was asleep when the disturbance began.
    Brian Maass, CBS News, 30 June 2026
Noun
  • The father, Marquise Anderson, said Joanna wet the bed on two occasions on a night in February at the house in the 1900 block of Daniel Street.
    Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 June 2026
  • The case challenges the agency’s practice of holding noncitizens for sometimes days in facilities without a bed or other adequate accommodations.
    Michael Loria, USA Today, 24 June 2026
Verb
  • Iguanas are everywhere, relaxing around and even inside the pools—a further stamp of approval from nature itself.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 July 2026
  • But Wright was relaxing in a hammock when those words came to him; Thomson, in the stiff upholstery of the multiplex, is worse off.
    Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 30 June 2026
Noun
  • Mighty ice breakers moored in their summer slumber are the only reminder of the bitter Baltic winters.
    Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 10 June 2026
  • But with the weather warming as Japan has entered summer, the bears have emerged from their slumber – and are heading back into cities and towns.
    Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 9 June 2026
Verb
  • Clear, blue skies and mild breezes are once again enveloping the Pharmalot campus, where the official mascots are happily snoozing in their respective corners.
    Ed Silverman, STAT, 25 June 2026
  • After milking, the cows would return themselves to their fresh pasture and spend the day grazing, snoozing, licking one another, and cooling off in the shade of pine trees.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 22 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Napping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/napping. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.

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