as in sleeping
being in a state of suspended consciousness
the resting cat was curled up in my favorite chair
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in napping
a natural periodic loss of consciousness during which the body restores itself
the hyena is ready to scavenge again after its brief resting
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in basking
to refrain from labor or exertion
a beach resort that caters to gung ho exercisers and athletes as well as vacationers who just want to rest
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in dozing
to be in a state of sleep
the patient is currently resting, but as soon as he awakes, I'll tell him you called
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in basing
to find a basis
you're resting your argument on a faulty premise
Synonyms & Similar 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 resting
Nancy Lebrun, Verywell Health, 13 Jan. 2025
Green Bay could finish as high as sixth in the NFC if the resting Rams lose to the 49ers, potentially setting up a first-round matchup against the division-rival Lions.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 6 Jan. 2024
In this condition, a lot of the hairs all over the scalp going into the resting phase all at once–this is seen clinically as an abrupt significant increase in shedding.
—Tatjana Freund, ELLE, 4 Aug. 2023
More muscle means more metabolically demanding muscle cells, which translates into a higher resting metabolism.
—Emily Willingham, Scientific American, 14 June 2023
After the breathing exercise, class ends with five minutes of Savasana, the Sanskrit name for the resting and restorative period when practitioners lie supine to relax, regroup, and calm the nervous system.
—Andi Breitowich, Men's Health, 1 May 2023
This is likely because hair follicles are cut off from their blood supply and forced into a resting phase prematurely.
—Marisa Sloan, Discover Magazine, 15 Feb. 2023
This wasn’t the resting place of just one animal: The stone was littered with the remains of at least six individual dinosaurs of different ages and sizes.
—Brian Switek, Smithsonian, 9 Aug. 2017
The researchers found that girls had higher resting heart rates at age 11 compared with boys.
—Rubén Rosario, Twin Cities, 5 May 2017
Cody Godwin, USA TODAY, 7 Jan. 2025
With this new year, consider planning some fresh ways to cater to your creativity—and lean in to the importance of resting.
—Essence, 7 Jan. 2025
But the infection typically does improve with resting, drinking fluids and over-the-counter medication.
—Christina Shaw, Fox News, 7 Jan. 2025
During the winter months, your lawn is either growing slowly or resting in dormancy, depending on the climate in your region.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Jan. 2025
No rolling pin or resting time required.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 6 Jan. 2025
The Seahawks barely got their 10th win to finish 10-7 even though the Rams were resting key starters Sunday.
—Mike Sando, The Athletic, 6 Jan. 2025
Then, the New England Patriots prevailed over the Buffalo Bills, who – like the Chiefs – were resting some key starters.
—Jim Reineking, USA TODAY, 6 Jan. 2025
But coach Sean McVay prioritized resting starters, including 36-year-old quarterback Matthew Stafford, for good reason.
—Mike Sando, The Athletic, 6 Jan. 2025
Adjective
Telogen Stage The telogen stage of the hair cycle is a resting phase, during which the hair doesn't grow, and the follicle is dormant.1 About 10% to 15% of the hairs on your body are in this resting phase at any one time, which typically lasts for a few months.
—Nancy Lebrun, Verywell Health, 13 Jan. 2025
Green Bay could finish as high as sixth in the NFC if the resting Rams lose to the 49ers, potentially setting up a first-round matchup against the division-rival Lions.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 6 Jan. 2024
In this condition, a lot of the hairs all over the scalp going into the resting phase all at once–this is seen clinically as an abrupt significant increase in shedding.
—Tatjana Freund, ELLE, 4 Aug. 2023
More muscle means more metabolically demanding muscle cells, which translates into a higher resting metabolism.
—Emily Willingham, Scientific American, 14 June 2023
After the breathing exercise, class ends with five minutes of Savasana, the Sanskrit name for the resting and restorative period when practitioners lie supine to relax, regroup, and calm the nervous system.
—Andi Breitowich, Men's Health, 1 May 2023
This is likely because hair follicles are cut off from their blood supply and forced into a resting phase prematurely.
—Marisa Sloan, Discover Magazine, 15 Feb. 2023
This wasn’t the resting place of just one animal: The stone was littered with the remains of at least six individual dinosaurs of different ages and sizes.
—Brian Switek, Smithsonian, 9 Aug. 2017
The researchers found that girls had higher resting heart rates at age 11 compared with boys.
—Rubén Rosario, Twin Cities, 5 May 2017
Verb
Place the terracotta pot upside down over the tea lights, resting on the bricks.
—Cody Godwin, USA TODAY, 7 Jan. 2025
With this new year, consider planning some fresh ways to cater to your creativity—and lean in to the importance of resting.
—Essence, 7 Jan. 2025
But the infection typically does improve with resting, drinking fluids and over-the-counter medication.
—Christina Shaw, Fox News, 7 Jan. 2025
During the winter months, your lawn is either growing slowly or resting in dormancy, depending on the climate in your region.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Jan. 2025
No rolling pin or resting time required.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 6 Jan. 2025
The Seahawks barely got their 10th win to finish 10-7 even though the Rams were resting key starters Sunday.
—Mike Sando, The Athletic, 6 Jan. 2025
Then, the New England Patriots prevailed over the Buffalo Bills, who – like the Chiefs – were resting some key starters.
—Jim Reineking, USA TODAY, 6 Jan. 2025
But coach Sean McVay prioritized resting starters, including 36-year-old quarterback Matthew Stafford, for good reason.
—Mike Sando, The Athletic, 6 Jan. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for resting
Verb
-
Yet last January Harbaugh rode the streets of Ann Arbor basking in a national championship parade.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC News,
31 Dec. 2024
-
Howe may not be basking in this historic triumph, but supporters certainly should.—
Chris Waugh,
The Athletic,
31 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
The victims' roommates have said all the occupants of the rental house near the University of Idaho campus were home and asleep or in their rooms by 4 a.m. on Nov. 13, 2022.—
N'dea Yancey-Bragg,
USA TODAY,
7 Mar. 2025
-
In a video posted on March 4, which has already been viewed 1.5 million times, a three-day-old Alex lies fast asleep in his owner's arms, taking a nap in the sun.—
William Lambers,
Newsweek,
7 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
And like many parents, when the kids go to bed, Meghan and Prince Harry like to unwind with some of their favorite shows.—
Stephanie Petit,
People.com,
19 Mar. 2025
-
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) advises turning space heaters off before going to bed or leaving the room.—
Cody Godwin,
USA TODAY,
19 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
And to add to the messy situation, conflicting media reports suggest the company either is or is not relaxing its hardware hurdle for taking.—
Zak Doffman,
Forbes,
26 Dec. 2024
-
In , the small cat curiously edged toward the new canine friend, who was relaxing on the couch, gently patting him with her paw and sniffing.—
Alice Gibbs,
Newsweek,
26 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
Instead of expecting an immediate sleep response, consider melatonin part of a broader strategy to regulate or reset your natural sleep-wake cycle.—
Lindsay Curtis,
Verywell Health,
17 Mar. 2025
-
These were bad messages to receive in the middle of brushing my teeth, and sleep did not come easy.—
Ars Technica,
Ars Technica,
17 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
So rest assured, there's definitely one that fits you.—
Denise Primbet,
Glamour,
16 Mar. 2025
-
The universe is encouraging you to lie low, rest, recharge and live in the moment.—
Kyle Thomas,
People.com,
16 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
After the kiss in Snow White, the princess emerges from what was supposed to be her eternal slumber to enlist the seven dwarfs, as well as Jonathan and his fellow bandits to lead an uprising to take down the Evil Queen.—
Tim Lammers,
Forbes,
20 Mar. 2025
-
The set is only $30, and has moisture-wicking properties and interior airflow for a cooler, more comfortable slumber.—
Stephanie Osmanski,
Better Homes & Gardens,
18 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Resting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/resting. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share