drowse 1 of 2

as in nap
a short sleep was just falling into a drowse when you called

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drowse

2 of 2

verb

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

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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 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
Stars lounged and drowsed: Muhammad Ali with a newspaper, Peter Cook in his old mac on a lilo in a Hollywood pool. The Economist, 21 Nov. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for drowse
Noun
  • Her 15-month-old dog had managed to break free and go on a destructive rampage before heading back into the crate and taking a nap.
    Kevin Sabet, Newsweek, 24 Mar. 2025
  • Her 15-month-old dog had managed to break free and go on a destructive rampage before heading back into the crate and taking a nap.
    Kevin Sabet, Newsweek, 24 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Those restrictions were relaxed after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991.
    Lee Habeeb, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Apr. 2025
  • One reason for this is that estrogen helps keep blood vessels flexible and supports the production of nitric oxide, a molecule that allows vessels to relax and maintain healthy blood flow.
    Matthew Nudy, The Conversation, 4 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Always ensure your criticisms rest on solid research and offer constructive paths forward.
    Jay Ruderman, Rolling Stone, 9 Apr. 2025
  • The Pope, 88, left the hospital on March 23 following a 38-day stay and has been advised to rest, with King Charles and Queen Camilla sending him their best wishes.
    Janine Henni, People.com, 8 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Don’t forget to say hi to Gobber in his workshop, alongside his dozing dragon, Grump.
    Samantha Neely, USA Today, 6 Apr. 2025
  • Despite downing a large coffee early in the morning, by the afternoon, Aaron was dozing in the waiting room.
    Christian Babcock, The Mercury News, 3 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • In the nineteenth century, British writers depicted it as a land of innocents slumbering under the yoke of incompetent Oriental despotism.
    Sebastian Strangio, Foreign Affairs, 14 Apr. 2020
  • While slumbering in this washable silk number is akin to sleeping on satin sheets, this button-up top can get just as much wear out of the house.
    Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 19 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Drowse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drowse. Accessed 18 Apr. 2025.

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