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
Jessica Swirble, Verywell Health, 10 July 2025
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
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
During the resting phase, hair stops growing and will shed, or fall out.
—Jessica Swirble, Verywell Health, 10 July 2025
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
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
-
Nothing quite compares to the joy of sitting by the beach, breathing in the warm ocean breeze, and basking in the beauty of your surroundings.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
9 Apr. 2025
-
Tortuga Bay is where visitors can surely encounter marine iguanas basking on the lava rocks or making their way in and out of the sea to feed on underwater algae.—
Emese Maczko,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
These student-parents are balancing coursework with working full time, picking up their children from school and studying for long hours after their families are asleep.—
Rita Raichoudhuri,
Chicago Tribune,
23 July 2025
-
Sharon and Ozzy were asleep in the back of the tour bus.—
Erik Hedegaard,
Rolling Stone,
22 July 2025
Noun
-
The Red Sox made their bed last month when Devers was shipped to the Giants.—
Drew VonScio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 July 2025
-
The interiors are by Champalimaud Design (founder Alexandra Champalimaud is a town resident), and each of the 31 rooms offers guests a chance to celebrate area craftspeople: Items like ceramic lamps, grass-cloth wall coverings, and four-poster beds were created in studios mere minutes away.—
AFAR Media,
AFAR Media,
14 July 2025
Verb
-
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
-
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
Noun
-
The pajamas usually come with socks, but many first-class passengers bring an extra pair, or put the airline pair over their own for a snuggly sleep experience.—
Paula Conway,
Forbes.com,
14 July 2025
-
Eating 30 grams of protein 30 minutes before sleep is ideal.12 To avoid any potential sleep disturbances, try to keep your snack low in sugar and fat.—
Lauren O'Connor,
Health,
14 July 2025
Noun
-
Throwing a pair of roomy, comfy slippers into your carry-on could be the key that unlocks a full night’s rest on your next long-haul flight.—
Amelia McBride,
Travel + Leisure,
26 July 2025
-
Tai Chi may also support better rest by encouraging relaxation and enhancing emotional regulation, the study authors added.—
Brian Mastroianni,
Health,
26 July 2025
Noun
-
His experience inspired him to study how warm nighttime showers support slumber.—
Matt Fuchs,
Time,
10 July 2025
-
And with a new season upon us, now is the perfect time to refresh your home with breathable textiles that make slumbers peaceful, cozy, and sweat-free.—
Isabella Milano,
Better Homes & Gardens,
1 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Resting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/resting. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share