catnap 1 of 2

noun

ˈkat-ˌnap How to pronounce catnap (audio)
Definition of catnapnext
as in nap
a short sleep a catnap left me refreshed enough to face the rest of the day

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

catnap

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to sleep
to be in a state of sleep the children are catnapping, so please be quiet

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to nap
to sleep lightly or briefly catnapped for 10 minutes and then went back to work

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 catnap
Noun
Putt-putting at low altitudes, taking catnaps to steal sleep, nearly slamming into a mountain in Africa and almost ditching in the Pacific Ocean, the Voyager and its crew limped home on fumes from empty fuel tanks two days before Christmas. — Trip Gabriel, New York Times, 8 May 2024 And your own cat is to thank for the inspiration behind Godzilla’s catnaps in the Colosseum? — Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 26 Mar. 2024
Verb
The sea breeze rushed in and carried me off to catnap under a Nido Notte Italian wool blanket in bed. — Adam Erace, Travel + Leisure, 30 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for catnap
Recent Examples of Synonyms for catnap
  1. nap
  2. sleep
Noun
  • Take a nap, look at your phone, order another bev, because endless exposition requires scarce attention.
    — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 19 Aug. 2026
  • The swing should only be used for short naps and never for overnight sleeping.
    — BestReviews, Mercury News, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of nap
Verb
  • Los Angeles City Council members on Tuesday approved a resolution to remove 12 anti-camping zones around Hollywood, ending a years-long ban that prevented people from sitting, sleeping or camping in certain areas.
    — Brittney Ermon, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Thousands of people across the island slept outdoors, fearing aftershocks.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of sleep

Browse Nearby Words

cathouses
catnap
catnapped
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Catnap.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/catnap. Accessed 26 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of devolve

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

How to Pronounce the Trickiest Menu Items

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Aug. 21

16 Glee-ridden Words from Schitt's Creek
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
alt-684346df967d5
Add A Letter Quiz Pick the letter that goes in the same spot in fou...
See All