as in sleeping
being in a state of suspended consciousness
made a comparison between the inattentive nation and a slumbering giant
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in slumber
a natural periodic loss of consciousness during which the body restores itself
my peaceful slumbering was interrupted by a ring of the doorbell
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in resting
to be in a state of sleep
she slumbered for hours while the train rolled on
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in napping
to sleep lightly or briefly
slumbering restlessly in the tropical heat
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 slumbering
Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 2026
Transform a slumbering downtown into a bustling business sector.
—Connor Letourneau, San Francisco Chronicle, 28 Mar. 2026
The supermassive black hole sitting at the heart of our galaxy is considered to be a slumbering giant.
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 8 Jan. 2026
Trump revived a slumbering American electorate and drove record turnout, winning and losing; Mamdani won more votes than any modern mayor.
—Ben Smith, semafor.com, 10 Nov. 2025
Along the way, the protagonist must also find a way to lift the curse on his eternally slumbering friend, who happens to be the prince.
—PC Magazine, 16 Oct. 2025
Doctor Doom seeks to steal the Chronal Chi of the slumbering dragon Shou-Lao, threatening to unravel the fate of the Heavens themselves.
—Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Glenn Kurtz, Time, 28 Mar. 2026
Others showed baby Spero clasping his tiny hand around Graham's finger and slumbering with a smile on his face.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 13 Mar. 2026
One of the men set fire to the slumbering victim’s clothes, causing a small blaze, police said.
—Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 3 Mar. 2026
The world's largest acidic geyser has begun erupting again in Yellowstone after slumbering for over five years, the national park said Monday.
—Kerry Breen, CBS News, 3 Mar. 2026
The actress had a hard time slumbering after her week one mistakes, and now she’s expected to do a cartwheel into splits after tearing her hamstring?
—Lynette Rice, Deadline, 23 Sep. 2025
The late-slumbering parent, meanwhile, can do remote work on their laptop at the table at night while the rest of the family sleeps comfortably.
—New Atlas, 27 Aug. 2025
Mountains look like slumbering dinosaurs.
—Gieson Cacho, Mercury News, 19 Aug. 2025
Similar contamination was also the most likely explanation for the spectacular claim that spores had sprung back to life after slumbering inside a crystal for 250 million years, according to a study published in the journal Nature.
—F.d. Flam, Twin Cities, 6 Aug. 2025
Adjective
The shorthanded goal seemed to wake the slumbering Ducks, with Gauthier scoring on a power play 37 seconds later to halve the lead and become the first Duck with 40 goals in a season since Corey Perry in 2013-14.
—Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 2026
Transform a slumbering downtown into a bustling business sector.
—Connor Letourneau, San Francisco Chronicle, 28 Mar. 2026
The supermassive black hole sitting at the heart of our galaxy is considered to be a slumbering giant.
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 8 Jan. 2026
Trump revived a slumbering American electorate and drove record turnout, winning and losing; Mamdani won more votes than any modern mayor.
—Ben Smith, semafor.com, 10 Nov. 2025
Along the way, the protagonist must also find a way to lift the curse on his eternally slumbering friend, who happens to be the prince.
—PC Magazine, 16 Oct. 2025
Doctor Doom seeks to steal the Chronal Chi of the slumbering dragon Shou-Lao, threatening to unravel the fate of the Heavens themselves.
—Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Verb
And amazingly, photographs of them have been slumbering in archives or circulating unidentified for almost a century.
—Glenn Kurtz, Time, 28 Mar. 2026
Others showed baby Spero clasping his tiny hand around Graham's finger and slumbering with a smile on his face.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 13 Mar. 2026
One of the men set fire to the slumbering victim’s clothes, causing a small blaze, police said.
—Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 3 Mar. 2026
The world's largest acidic geyser has begun erupting again in Yellowstone after slumbering for over five years, the national park said Monday.
—Kerry Breen, CBS News, 3 Mar. 2026
The actress had a hard time slumbering after her week one mistakes, and now she’s expected to do a cartwheel into splits after tearing her hamstring?
—Lynette Rice, Deadline, 23 Sep. 2025
The late-slumbering parent, meanwhile, can do remote work on their laptop at the table at night while the rest of the family sleeps comfortably.
—New Atlas, 27 Aug. 2025
Mountains look like slumbering dinosaurs.
—Gieson Cacho, Mercury News, 19 Aug. 2025
Similar contamination was also the most likely explanation for the spectacular claim that spores had sprung back to life after slumbering inside a crystal for 250 million years, according to a study published in the journal Nature.
—F.d. Flam, Twin Cities, 6 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for slumbering
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
-
Guests can relax by the cascading waterfall on the terrace, take a dip in the heated outdoor pool, hit the pickleball courts, or drift into slumber on a signature Heavenly Bed.—
Sharael Kolberg,
Travel + Leisure,
27 Apr. 2026
-
The unseasonably warm weather in Denver early this year lured irises, daffodils and other perennial flowers out of their winter slumber weeks early.—
Elise Schmelzer,
Denver Post,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Toprak Razgatlıoğlu, however, is not interested in resting on any laurels.—
Jonathan Hawkins,
CNN Money,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Instead, keen-eyed visitors can spot resting harbor seals, shorebirds, and even a resident pair of bald eagles.—
Cu Fleshman,
Travel + Leisure,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
When one of them crouched to pet the Federicos’ dog Marshall, napping on the floor, Rob explained how Kong dog toys were invented.—
Jonathan Bullington,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
-
While occasional naps have been shown to be refreshing, frequent or prolonged daytime napping in this group has been associated with a variety of health concerns.—
Melissa Rudy,
FOXNews.com,
21 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
He was advised to turn back along the same route and keep moving to avoid falling asleep through hypothermia.—
Gabrielle Rockson,
PEOPLE,
28 Apr. 2026
-
In the official teaser, Lowen is slinking around the Crawford family house wearing a silk robe while Verity is fast asleep in bed.—
Rebecca Rubin,
Variety,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Despite having a decent layer of memory foam, the AS3 doesn’t retain much heat, making for a cooler sleep.—
Alora Bopray,
USA Today,
25 Apr. 2026
-
The minibar is one of the room’s better surprises, stocked with local snacks and small-batch bottles (both alcoholic and non-alcoholic) that feel more corner-boutique than cookie-cutter hotel, plus thoughtful extras like a Sleep & Recover kit complete with sleep gummies, focus mints, and eye gels.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
A little walk to Ayu Bakehouse, especially in the early morning while most of the neighborhood is still dozing, is a great start to the day.—
Kate Kassin,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
13 Apr. 2026
-
People sleep with earplugs for many reasons, like excessive city noise, loud neighbors, or even a snoring partner dozing next to them.—
Sherri Gordon,
Health,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Identifying Africa’s dormant capital is a great first step, but there’s a long way to go.—
Alexis Akwagyiram,
semafor.com,
27 Apr. 2026
-
The rhizomatic roots spread horizontally under the soil surface to keep this perennial spreading even if the plant becomes dormant during hot weather.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
26 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Slumbering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slumbering. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
