nap 1 of 3

noun (1)

Definition of napnext
as in wink
a short sleep so tired that she needed to take a refreshing nap before soccer practice

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nap

2 of 3

noun (2)

as in fur
a soft airy substance or covering high-quality suede has a good, even nap

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nap

3 of 3

verb

ˈnap How to pronounce nap (audio)
1
as in to relax
to sleep lightly or briefly decided to let the kids nap for a few more minutes before waking them

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to sleep
to be in a state of sleep I'm just going to nap the entire afternoon

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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 nap
Noun
Music takes on a different purpose by mid-August—who isn’t feeling a little lazy and crooked by now, spiritually overserved and ready for a nap? — Amanda Petrusich, New Yorker, 16 Aug. 2026 The crew awakens Hillstrand from a nap to alert him that Ryan is injured. — Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Aug. 2026
Verb
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 See All Example Sentences for nap
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nap
  1. wink
  2. fur
  3. relax
  4. sleep
  5. rest
  6. pile
  7. slumber
  8. doze
Noun
  • Troye Sivan isn’t losing a wink of sleep over the concept of first-week sales.
    — Alicia Urrea, Billboard, 26 Aug. 2026
  • This flash of color feels like a playful wink—there’s something just a little Wes Anderson about it.
    — Megan Rose Murray, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of wink
Noun
  • Designed as a therapeutic companion, the robot resembles a baby seal and uses soft fur, gentle movements, and responsive sounds to create the calming presence of a living pet.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Anna had brown fur and was dressed up for the occasion with a pink and white flower and lace lei around her neck.
    — Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of fur
Verb
  • Direct flights have resumed between India and China, a few old Silk Road trade routes have opened, and in March India relaxed rules around investment from Beijing.
    — Evelyn Cheng,Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Fences, hedges, noise machines, and relaxing music can all help.
    — R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of relax
Verb
  • Dogs slept outside and got baths every six months and sometimes disappeared for three days and then came home smelling like Paris Hilton circa 2003, and no one asked any questions.
    — Mimi Montgomery, PEOPLE, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Some slept on the floors, others circulated in and out of the air conditioning, and a few children played and ate.
    — Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of sleep
Noun
  • Water, snacks, rest and weather conditions shape the schedule, with his well-being guiding each appearance.
    — Lauren Paige Richeson, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026
  • When budgets tighten, the report finds consumers protect relationships, rest and personal growth first, cutting material purchases and discretionary splurges before anything tied to connection or well-being.
    — Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of rest
Noun
  • The government still has not come up with a solution to the mountainous piles of rotting garbage that accumulate on the streets for months.
    — Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Cole went online, bought Steiffs by the piles, and lined the shelves of King’s bedroom.
    — Laura Preston, New Yorker, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of pile
Verb
  • In other words, the long-slumbering giant in the US space industry may finally be waking up.
    — Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Some, perhaps, slumbered through repetitive regional games and inconsequential friendlies.
    — Henry Bushnell, New York Times, 14 June 2026
Definition of slumber
Noun
  • Available in pink or blue, the toy—which attaches to crib bars or can be situated near your child’s sleeping space—features a relaxing array of sounds, lights, and music, along with gentle motion, to encourage your darling to doze.
    — Melissa Willets, Parents, 1 July 2026
  • Our thought was probably somebody was going to just want to come in and doze it all down and do something different.
    — Eric Adler, Kansas City Star, 10 Feb. 2026
Definition of doze

Browse Nearby Words

nanoseconds
nap
napkin
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Cite this Entry

“Nap.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nap. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on nap

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about nap

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