yawning 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of yawningnext
1
as in nodding

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2
as in gaping

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yawning

2 of 2

verb

present participle of yawn
as in snoring

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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 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
  1. nodding
  2. gaping
  3. snoring
  4. sleeping
  5. wide
  6. sniffing
  7. gasping
  8. panting
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
  • Mainly looking to drown out a snoring partner, a barking dog or an overactive brain?
    — Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Pick sleep earbuds, played at safe volume, if your issue is outside noise or a snoring partner.
    — Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of snoring
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
Adjective
  • The company aims to develop a wider lineup of electric-propulsion ships suited to different operating conditions and customer requirements.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 23 Oct. 2026
  • The best seats will be the cheapest There is a wide spread in the available prices for tickets to see U2 on their 2027 tour.
    — Jim Edwards, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of wide
Verb
  • While exploring the neighborhood, his dog, Betty, took off and sprinted through the open door of an empty house, sniffing around yet completely at ease.
    — Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Eventually, Bird’s film — with a script co-written by Matthew Robbins — gets to the meat of the action when Venus’ extremely complicated life runs smack into Ray and his knack for sniffing out bad guys.
    — Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of sniffing
Verb
  • Frequent awakenings, loud snoring, gasping during sleep, morning headaches or uncomfortable leg sensations warrant a conversation with a healthcare provider.
    — Emily Cegielski, Flow Space, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Advertisement Tell your doctor about the pauses, gasping, and any daytime sleepiness.
    — Angela Haupt, Time, 16 Oct. 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

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yawning
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Cite this Entry

“Yawning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/yawning. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about yawning

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