YAWNING Synonyms: 107 Similar and Opposite Words

yawning 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of yawning

as in nodding

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

as in gaping

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

yawning

2 of 2

verb

present participle of yawn

as in snoring

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

Adjective

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 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

Definition of nodding

Adjective

This is the most gaping vacancy of all—Trump gestures toward two American incitements, one historic, one extremely recent.

— Fintan O’Toole, The New York Review of Books, 9 Apr. 2026
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

Definition of gaping

Verb

Same lethal drug, different outcomes After the pentobarbital was administered Wednesday night, Howard took a couple of breaths and gasped, the AP reported, before making snoring sounds that grew quiet within 30 seconds.

— Karina Tsui, CNN Money, 8 Oct. 2026
Howard then began making snoring sounds, coughed and resumed the snoring sounds, which grew progressively quieter.

— Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of snoring

Adjective

Expanding final assembly facilities must therefore be matched by reliable deliveries from suppliers and sufficient skilled labour across the wider production network.

— Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 9 Oct. 2026
In our view, that would be strong evidence of a Tier-1 bottom and an important signal for the wider market.

— Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of wide

Verb

Alaniz then detained her for a drug-sniffing dog, which alerted to the vehicle.

— Rena Rowe, The Washington Examiner, 3 Oct. 2026
And security inside Alice Tully Hall, where the film premiered, was certainly tight—metal detectors, physical checks of bags, K9 bomb-sniffing dogs.

— Hannah Seligson, Vanity Fair, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of sniffing

Verb

Eventually the curtain was closed again and the microphone in the room was turned off, but Pike could still be heard making gasping or snoring sounds.

— Rebecca Boone, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026
Common symptoms of sleep apnea include loud snoring, gasping for air during the night, and waking up feeling tired.

— Lindsay Curtis, HEALTH, 27 Sep. 2026

Definition of gasping

Verb

Like some of the music, the album artwork also pays homage to the animal world and our interconnectedness—the abstract piece offers a single line drawing that weaves in outlines of a panting dog, screeching cat, stoic bunny, and wise owl.

— Selena Fragassi, SPIN, 28 Sep. 2026
The delivery person added that none of the canines appeared to have access to food or sufficient water, and that all the animals were panting.

— Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of panting

Browse Nearby Words

yawners

yawning

yawns

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

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Synonyms of yawning

adjective

verb

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