NAPPING Synonyms: 84 Similar and Opposite Words

napping 1 of 3

adjective

as in sleeping

being in a state of suspended consciousness the napping children looked so peaceful

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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

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napping

3 of 3

verb

present participle of nap

as in resting

to sleep lightly or briefly decided to let the kids nap for a few more minutes before waking them

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as in dozing

to be in a state of sleep I'm just going to nap the entire afternoon

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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

Exercise and napping produced similar memory performance benefits, but through different neural processes. — Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 26 Sep. 2026 How Sleep Patterns Connect to Hemorrhoid Risk A study published in Neuropsychiatric Research in August 2026 examined whether sleep patterns like insomnia, sleep duration and daytime napping may influence the risk of developing hemorrhoids. — Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 3 Sep. 2026 By nine-thirty, people were stretched out on the soft grass, napping, reading, and revelling in the previous night’s victory. — Eric Klinenberg, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2026 When temperatures eventually dip, Shah likes keeping an extra blanket in the car—a place where many babies do their best napping, much to their parents’ delight. — Vy Yang, Architectural Digest, 4 Aug. 2026 Any signs of enthusiasm for the meal created suspicions of cook-napping. — Judith Martin, Mercury News, 27 July 2026 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

Verb

How did researchers go about identifying the effect of exercise versus napping? — Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 26 Sep. 2026 Andrew was napping on a couch in the family home when he was struck up to 11 times with a hatchet. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 4 Sep. 2026 Longer sleep duration was linked to about 16% higher odds, and daytime napping to about 14% higher odds. — Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 3 Sep. 2026 Counterintuitively for sleep-optimization crowds, longer sleep duration was linked to about 16% higher odds, and daytime napping to about 14% higher odds, complicating the assumption that more sleep is always protective. — Samantha Agate, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Sep. 2026 There are five sculptures, one for each of de Monteflores’s children; and Fraser herself was a toddler when the paintings on view were made, likely napping, her mother has said, while the work took shape. — Carmen Rosenberg-Miller, Artforum, 6 Aug. 2026 The data showed that sperm whales napping near the surface blew bubbles 11 times on average during their naps, compared to three or four times by those whales making a slow ascent. — ArsTechnica, 3 Aug. 2026 There was nothing comfier, or more quintessentially childhood-coded, than wrapping myself in a patchwork throw and napping the entire five-and-a-half-hour drive to the family vacation home in Vermont. — Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 31 July 2026 Primates napping next to another animal or playing with them offers no readily apparent rewards—suggesting that this innate curiosity and friendliness is more deeply ingrained in humanity’s evolutionary journey. — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 30 July 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

Definition of sleeping

Noun

Frazzled parents unwind at the swim-up bar, while the little ones run amok in the spiffy waterpark, bowling alley, and giant sand castle equipped for sleep-overs.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
The company already offers sleep monitoring and heart-rate tracking with the Apple Watch.

— Morgan Chittum, Fortune, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of sleep

Verb

The brand notes that this pillow is perfect for all sorts of sleepers, including those who like resting on their back, side, and stomach.

— Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 2 Oct. 2026
That first reactor is already resting at a shipyard, ready for installation into the ship’s hull.

— Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of resting

Adjective

Marris pointed to her daughter, asleep in the back seat of her SUV, and explained Brooklyn’s digestion struggles.

— CNN Money, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2026
Caleb was asleep in his bed with his mother when he was struck in the head by a bullet, according to WGHP.

— Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of asleep

Verb

If location isn’t all-important to you, you’ll still be taken in by the property’s palatial restaurant, secret garden above the bustling street, and relaxing pool—undoubtedly one of the longest in Lisbon.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
Rather than relaxing on his lead, Becerra should be constantly moving around the state, introducing himself to Californians and — more importantly — listening to their problems and ideas.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of relaxing

Noun

The Chicago Cubs picked a bad time to go into an offensive slumber.

— Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 1 Oct. 2026
Above-average rainfall in June and August, along with several cold fronts sweeping across the region, woke the seeds from a lengthy slumber to transform the landscape.

— Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of slumber

Verb

Too much light snoozing each night was associated with a higher risk of poor mental health and problems with muscles and bones.

— Mike McRae September 17, New Atlas, 17 Sep. 2026
The show is so cozy and soothing that the actors frequently fell asleep during takes and can be spotted snoozing in the background.

— Josh Gondelman, New Yorker, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of snoozing

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nappies

napping

nappy

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Style

“Napping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/napping. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of napping

adjective

noun

verb

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