1
as in sleeping
desiring or needing sleep
the sleepy children were carried up to bed
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in dull
slow to move or act
a sleepy little town on the coast
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in hypnotic
tending to cause sleep
the sleepy drone of his voice made staying awake a challenge
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in slow
lacking in gaiety, movement, or animation
a sleepy party that was mostly attended by the same boring people I work with
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 sleepy
Cars is Pixar’s most nostalgic work, lamenting the sleepy communities and small-town values lost to the endless march of progress, which may explain why the movie feels so recycled, drawing from different genres without the studio’s usual freshness.
—
Will Leitch, Vulture, 19 June 2025
First held in 1923, the 24 Hours of Le Mans is one of the world’s oldest races, and certainly one of the toughest, held around the clock in the otherwise sleepy region of Sarthe in northern France.
—Charlie Thomas, Robb Report, 12 June 2025
The final picture is a solo shot of Ocean Rain, sleepy and sweetly tucked into a coral blanket embroidered with her name.
—Clea Haran, Parents, 23 June 2025
By the end of that summer, the sleepy months had become prime box-office real estate.
—Mark Hughes, Forbes.com, 21 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for sleepy
Will Leitch, Vulture, 19 June 2025
First held in 1923, the 24 Hours of Le Mans is one of the world’s oldest races, and certainly one of the toughest, held around the clock in the otherwise sleepy region of Sarthe in northern France.
—Charlie Thomas, Robb Report, 12 June 2025
The final picture is a solo shot of Ocean Rain, sleepy and sweetly tucked into a coral blanket embroidered with her name.
—Clea Haran, Parents, 23 June 2025
By the end of that summer, the sleepy months had become prime box-office real estate.
—Mark Hughes, Forbes.com, 21 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for sleepy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sleepy
Adjective
-
Generally, names as a kind of artist name are quite dull nowadays anyway.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
4 July 2025
-
Sometimes, an artist who is too long viewed as an outsider to Music City's style and sound will see the shine of the bright lights grow dull on their art.—
Marcus K. Dowling,
The Tennessean,
2 July 2025
Adjective
-
Even so, as Jerry delivers his hokum, Offerman invests it with a hypnotic clarity, a sense that Jerry is trying to create a rational and just world — to create salvation — out of the irrational.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
10 July 2025
-
The aquarium has been a pioneer from the start, unveiling the world’s first living kelp forest exhibit and debuting large-scale displays of jellyfish—hypnotic creatures that pulse rhythmically through the glowing blue waters.—
Brittany Anas,
Forbes.com,
10 July 2025
Adjective
-
Forecasters at the National Weather Service said there was the potential for additional catastrophic flooding and heavy rainfall in the region throughout Saturday, given the storm’s slow craw across the state.—
Jessica Schladebeck,
New York Daily News,
5 July 2025
-
The whales often appear unbothered, turning gently toward swimmers or drifting by in slow, graceful passes.—
Evie Carrick,
Travel + Leisure,
5 July 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
Adjective
-
By the end of the summer, there will be another pool with a zero-entry layout, lazy river, and seven private cabanas.—
Lisa Cericola,
Southern Living,
11 July 2025
-
The cellphone chimed, a surprise on a hot, lazy Sunday evening when few emails announce themselves.—
Scott Craven,
AZCentral.com,
10 July 2025
Adjective
-
Yet the car will likely obey speed limits, never get drowsy or drunk and never rubberneck or give in to road rage.—
Deni Ellis Béchard,
Scientific American,
22 June 2025
-
Preparation through adequate rest is an important part of avoiding drowsy driving, which could be fatal according to NHTSA.—
Charles Singh,
Nashville Tennessean,
9 May 2025
Adjective
-
So far, in 2025, crypto companies (and companies investing in crypto) are proving to be the most resilient and adaptable players in an otherwise lethargic public market.—
Christopher Perkins,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
-
When McCaughan got ahead in the count 0-2, a crowd largely quieted by a lethargic Twins offense got loud enough for the pitcher to notice.—
Dan Hayes,
New York Times,
4 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Alan Fox’s script is rife with clunkers (the somnolent Ilfenesh Hadera, as David’s wife Pam, explains with haunting detail which items of decor on the dining table can be moved where by the police), and the intrusive score is the equivalent of garish wall-to-wall carpeting.—
Alison Willmore,
Vulture,
20 May 2025
-
While there are a half-dozen or so worthy books on the list, most of them are somnolent doctoral theses that probably should not have been acquired in the first place.—
George Liebmann,
Baltimore Sun,
21 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sleepy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sleepy. Accessed 16 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share