sop·o·rif·ic
ˌsä-pə-ˈri-fik 
1
a
: causing or tending to cause sleep
soporific drugs
b
: tending to dull awareness or alertness
2
: of, relating to, or marked by sleepiness or lethargy
: a soporific agent
specifically
: hypnotic sense 1
Did you know?
Soporific comes from Latin sopor, which means "deep sleep." That root is related to somnus, the Latin word for "sleep." Despite its meaning, somnus has been active, giving English somnolence (sleepiness), somnambulism (sleepwalking), and many other "sleepy" words.
Examples of soporific in a Sentence
Adjective
the soporific heat of summer
this medication is soporific, so do not drive after taking it
Recent Examples on the Web
Jordan Hoffman, EW.com, 14 June 2025
Pritzker’s fighting words contrast with the soporific public statements coming from our universities.
—Luis A. Nunes Amaral, Chicago Tribune, 9 June 2025
A week ago, Monaco saw the introduction of a mandatory two-stop rule, which was meant to liven up a soporific event but only succeeded in making the race look even more of a procession.
—Dan Cancian, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025
For the Grand Prix on Sunday, as the cars have become wider, longer and heavier, the racing is soporific, with virtually no overtaking.
—Ian Parkes, New York Times, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for soporific
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.
Adjective
Prince Valiant Much of Spaceballs' plot kicks off when Daphne Zuniga's Princess Vespa runs away from her soporific betrothed, Prince Valium (the mighty Jim J. Bullock), at the altar.
—Jordan Hoffman, EW.com, 14 June 2025
Pritzker’s fighting words contrast with the soporific public statements coming from our universities.
—Luis A. Nunes Amaral, Chicago Tribune, 9 June 2025
A week ago, Monaco saw the introduction of a mandatory two-stop rule, which was meant to liven up a soporific event but only succeeded in making the race look even more of a procession.
—Dan Cancian, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025
For the Grand Prix on Sunday, as the cars have become wider, longer and heavier, the racing is soporific, with virtually no overtaking.
—Ian Parkes, New York Times, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for soporific
Cite this Entry
“Soporific.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/soporific. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
soporific
1 of 2 adjective
so·po·rif·ic
-ˈrif-ik
: causing or tending to cause sleep
soporific
2 of 2 noun
: a soporific agent (as a drug)
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share