1
2
as in gaping
Related Words
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
Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 30 Sep. 2025
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
Wet Leg make fun of something that Harry Styles couldn’t quite capture in his cover of their song on BBC Radio 1: the yawning banality of male attention.
—Los Angeles Times, 4 Dec. 2022
Dellandrea still impresses: Stars forward Ty Dellandrea picked up his third assist of the season on Tuesday, working his way to a puck and finding Wyatt Johnston for a yawning cage in the second period.
—Dallas News, 25 Oct. 2022
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
Adjective
As such, anticipated spending cuts have not materialized and British Chancellor Rachel Reeves is expected to announced tax hikes in her next Autumn Budget to fill a yawning fiscal hole that could be as much as £50 billion ($67.2 billion), although estimates vary.
—Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 30 Sep. 2025
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
Wet Leg make fun of something that Harry Styles couldn’t quite capture in his cover of their song on BBC Radio 1: the yawning banality of male attention.
—Los Angeles Times, 4 Dec. 2022
Dellandrea still impresses: Stars forward Ty Dellandrea picked up his third assist of the season on Tuesday, working his way to a puck and finding Wyatt Johnston for a yawning cage in the second period.
—Dallas News, 25 Oct. 2022
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
Adjective
-
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
-
Lawyers at Walsh Gallegos coordinated two releases of emails and other documents on behalf of the school board, but CNN reported how gaping holes remained, surprising and angering board members.—
Shimon Prokupecz,
CNN Money,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
In the last 20 minutes, Iron Lung finally arrives somewhere almost interesting, but by that point, a man sitting in the row ahead of me had been loudly snoring for more than an hour.—
Louis Peitzman,
Vulture,
4 Feb. 2026
-
Grandpa snoring near the fireplace, kids watching Rudolph.—
Tiffani Jackson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
22 Dec. 2025
Adjective
-
If successful, the technology is slated for wider adoption across multiple EV lines, signaling a potential shift away from lithium-dependent batteries.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Feb. 2026
-
It is expected to connect Azerbaijan and its autonomous Nakhchivan exclave, which are separated by a 20-mile-wide patch of Armenian territory.—
MICHELLE L. PRICE THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
Arkansas Online,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The Dallas City Council turned to a new search firm Wednesday to recruit a watchdog responsible for sniffing out wasteful spending, fraud and corruption in City Hall.—
Devyani Chhetri,
Dallas Morning News,
11 Feb. 2026
-
During the talk, Cindy catches Miss Mann sniffing women's underwear, then stuffing it back into her desk.—
Edward Segarra,
USA Today,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Then came another jab, and the hairpiece bounced up as if Miller’s scalp was the bottom of a gasping clam.—
Matt Moret,
New York Times,
1 Feb. 2026
-
The result is a searing drama that had audiences at the National Theatre in London, where the production opened at the end of 2024, gasping in surprise, shock, and sympathy.—
Sarah Crompton,
Vogue,
20 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
User @briadeshaun took a more relatable route and impersonated an out-of-shape owl, worn out from flying and repeatedly panting to catch its breath.—
Saleen Martin,
USA Today,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Her dog panting, unquestioning, always thrilled to see her.—
Allegra Goodman,
New Yorker,
4 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The main symptoms are wheezing, difficult breathing and fever.—
Stephanie Stahl,
CBS News,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Southampton gave it a good go last season, but ultimately fell short, wheezing over the line with 12.—
Nick Miller,
New York Times,
2 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Yawning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/yawning. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
