as in sleepiness
the quality or state of desiring or needing sleep
we tried to fight our drowsiness but fell asleep anyway
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Recent Examples of drowsiness
Acute exposure may cause drowsiness, dizziness and headaches, as well as eye, skin and respiratory tract irritation, and unconsciousness at high levels.
—
Noelle Phillips, Denver Post, 30 Sep. 2025
However, this depression of the CNS may result in drowsiness, sedation, and lack of mental alertness.
—Alex Yampolsky, Verywell Health, 29 Sep. 2025
While overeating may play a bigger role post-meal drowsiness than tryptophan, research shows tryptophan can affect your sleep quality.
—Anthea Levi, Health, 26 Sep. 2025
By evening, levels of a hormone called melatonin begin to surge, triggering drowsiness.
—Jeremy Tanner, The Hill, 17 Sep. 2025
Opioids can cause drowsiness and dizziness.
—Andrew Yockey, The Conversation, 11 Sep. 2025
Against all of this allegedly heady stuff, the score—by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross—intentionally jars us from encroaching drowsiness with chortling woodwinds and shardlike piano chords that are the aural equivalent of jagged Plexiglass off-cuts.
—Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 29 Aug. 2025
The Institute said the study found that distraction alerts were far more common than drowsiness warnings, which aligns with previous research showing visible drowsiness is quite rare.
—Jamie L. Lareau, USA Today, 29 Aug. 2025
Subaru’s system uses a driver-facing camera to detect signs of distraction and drowsiness by observing whether the driver’s eyes are open and directed at the road ahead.
—Tanya Mohn, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025
Noelle Phillips, Denver Post, 30 Sep. 2025
However, this depression of the CNS may result in drowsiness, sedation, and lack of mental alertness.
—Alex Yampolsky, Verywell Health, 29 Sep. 2025
While overeating may play a bigger role post-meal drowsiness than tryptophan, research shows tryptophan can affect your sleep quality.
—Anthea Levi, Health, 26 Sep. 2025
By evening, levels of a hormone called melatonin begin to surge, triggering drowsiness.
—Jeremy Tanner, The Hill, 17 Sep. 2025
Opioids can cause drowsiness and dizziness.
—Andrew Yockey, The Conversation, 11 Sep. 2025
Against all of this allegedly heady stuff, the score—by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross—intentionally jars us from encroaching drowsiness with chortling woodwinds and shardlike piano chords that are the aural equivalent of jagged Plexiglass off-cuts.
—Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 29 Aug. 2025
The Institute said the study found that distraction alerts were far more common than drowsiness warnings, which aligns with previous research showing visible drowsiness is quite rare.
—Jamie L. Lareau, USA Today, 29 Aug. 2025
Subaru’s system uses a driver-facing camera to detect signs of distraction and drowsiness by observing whether the driver’s eyes are open and directed at the road ahead.
—Tanya Mohn, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for drowsiness
Noun
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The sleep expert hypothesized that the benefits of a foot massage as part of a nightly routine may contribute to sleepiness more than the actual lotion.—
Angelica Stabile,
FOXNews.com,
28 Sep. 2025
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Uncomfortable side effects can occur the next day, such as headaches, daytime sleepiness, dizziness, mood changes, upset stomach, intense dreams, disorientation, or confusion.—
Maggie O'Neill,
Verywell Health,
26 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Researchers highlighted the current challenges for OCTOID, including slow thermal response and potential fatigue of CLCEs, and the weight of nichrome wires limiting flexibility.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
26 Oct. 2025
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Hoka Women’s Transport Shoes This cushy shoe is designed with a rocker bottom that pushes you into your next step, putting off foot fatigue for longer.—
Jasmine Gomez,
Travel + Leisure,
25 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The people went to the emergency department with tachycardia, confusion, anxiety or somnolence, and nausea after eating gummy candies labeled as containing Amanita muscaria mushrooms.—
Beth Mole,
Ars Technica,
19 July 2024
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Organized labor shows corporate managements who’s the boss: This year continued the strengthening of union power after decades of somnolence.—
Michael Hiltzik,
Los Angeles Times,
21 Dec. 2023
Noun
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Internet users can’t get enough of the sleeping beauty, and the clip went viral with over 502,600 views and more than 69,100 likes at the time of writing.—
Alyce Collins,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Oct. 2025
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This includes Casper’s Snow Max Cooling Hybrid Mattress, which AD contributor Wilder Davies described as having great temperature-regulating qualities and support for multiple sleep positions, especially side sleeping.—
Nashia Baker,
Architectural Digest,
21 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Drowsiness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drowsiness. Accessed 28 Oct. 2025.
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