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Definitions

yawning

[yaw-ning] / ˈyɔ nɪŋ /
ADJECTIVE
cavernous
Synonyms
STRONGEST
gaping huge roomy spacious vast
WEAK
alveolate broad chambered chasmal commodious concave curved inward deep deep-set echoing resonant reverberant sepulchral socketed sunken wide
Antonyms
STRONGEST
cramped little narrow small
WEAK
filled
ADJECTIVE
deep
Synonyms
STRONGEST
broad buried deep-seated far profound rooted wide
STRONG
low submarine underground
WEAK
abysmal abyssal below beneath bottomless distant downreaching fathomless immersed inmost subaqueous submerged subterranean sunk unfathomable
Antonyms
WEAK
shallow superficial
ADJECTIVE
gaping
Synonyms
STRONGEST
cavernous vast
WEAK
broad chasmal great
Antonyms
WEAK
closed shut
ADJECTIVE
nodding
Synonyms
STRONG
out quiet sleeping slow
WEAK
asleep blah comatose dopey dozy draggy drowsy heavy hypnotic inactive lethargic listless out of it sleepyhead sluggish slumberous slumbersome slumbery snoozy somnolent soporific torpid
ADJECTIVE
open
Synonyms
STRONGEST
accessible clear free susceptible wide
STRONG
agape bare cleared disclosed emptied expanded exposed extended gaping patent peeled removed rent revealed rolling stripped unbarred unblocked unbolted unburdened uncluttered uncovered unfolded unfurled unlocked unplugged unsealed vacated
WEAK
airy ajar dehiscent expansive extensive made passable naked navigable passable patulous ringent spacious spread-out unimpeded unobstructed unshut unstopped
Antonyms
STRONGEST
hindered limited restricted
STRONG
concealed
WEAK
ambiguous blocked certain closed deceitful deceptive decided definite dishonest fastened inaccessible locked lying obstructed shifty shut subjective sure unavailable unclear vague
ADJECTIVE
profound
Synonyms
STRONGEST
deep
WEAK
abysmal buried cavernous fathomless subterranean
Antonyms
WEAK
ignorant mild moderate shallow slight stupid unemotional
ADJECTIVE
sleepy
Synonyms
STRONGEST
drowsy lethargic listless quiet sluggish
WEAK
asleep blah comatose dopey dozy draggy heavy hypnotic inactive out out of it sleeping sleepyhead slow slumberous slumbersome snoozy somnolent soporific torpid
Antonyms
STRONGEST
active alert energetic lively
WEAK
animated awake unsleepy
ADJECTIVE
slumberous
Synonyms
WEAK
asleep blah comatose dopey dozy draggy drowsy heavy hypnotic inactive lethargic listless nodding out out of it quiet sleeping sleepyhead slow sluggish slumbersome slumbery snoozy somnolent soporific torpid
ADJECTIVE
somnifacient
Synonyms
WEAK
asleep blah comatose dopey dozy draggy drowsy heavy hypnotic inactive lethargic listless narcotic opiate out out of it quiet sedative sleeping sleepyhead slow sluggish slumberous slumbersome snoozy somniferous somnific somnolent soporific torpid
ADJECTIVE
somniferous
Synonyms
WEAK
asleep blah comatose dopey dozy draggy drowsy heavy hypnotic inactive lethargic listless narcotic opiate out out of it quiet sedative sleeping sleepyhead slow sluggish slumberous slumbersome snoozy somnifacient somnific somnolent soporific torpid
ADJECTIVE
somnific
Synonyms
WEAK
asleep blah comatose dopey dozy draggy drowsy heavy hypnotic inactive lethargic listless narcotic opiate out out of it quiet sedative sleeping sleepyhead slow sluggish slumberous slumbersome snoozy somnifacient somniferous somnolent soporific torpid
ADVERB
agape
Synonyms
STRONG
open
WEAK
ajar astonished awestruck confounded overwhelmed shocked staring

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

And while the money did close some of the early, yawning deficit Cornyn was facing against Paxton in preliminary polling, it hardly has put his opponents away.

From Slate • Mar. 2, 2026

Hart keeps up a steady stream of anecdotes and witty repartee, but increasingly the mask slips; underneath it all is the yawning realization that he is utterly alone.

From Barron's • Feb. 27, 2026

He also faces the challenge of closing a yawning budget deficit for the coming fiscal year.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 26, 2026

Instead a yawning gulf of mistrust lies between these two neighbours, one even Trump's deal-making prowess has failed to bridge.

From BBC • Dec. 10, 2025

And as he looks around the motel room, his eyes watering from yawning so big, he says, “Are we having popcorn for breakfast?”

From "The Sea in Winter" by Christine Day

Vocabulary lists containing yawning

Vocabulary from Readings 1, Unit 8

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