INSOMNIA Synonyms: 7 Similar and Opposite Words

insomnia

noun

in-ˈsäm-nē-ə

Definition of insomnia

as in restlessness

the inability to obtain adequate sleep has suffered from insomnia virtually his entire life

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 insomnia Here's what insomnia is, what causes it and how it's typically treated. — Daryl Austin, USA Today, 30 Aug. 2026 Common side effects include dizziness, fast heart rate, high blood pressure, anxiety, headache, insomnia and loss of appetite. — Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2026 Mild effects, such as drowsiness, headache, insomnia, nausea, and vomiting, are common. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Aug. 2026 Harvard Health notes that for some conditions such as insomnia or migraine headaches, a magnesium supplement may be worth a try, but readers should run it by a doctor first. — Samantha Agate, Sacbee.com, 21 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for insomnia

Recent Examples of Synonyms for insomnia

Noun

That same day, the moon will reach its first quarter phase in Sagittarius, bringing an air of restlessness and expansion, encouraging us to stop overthinking and finally take a leap of faith.

— Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 1 Sep. 2026
Anwar Hussein There was a restlessness to Diana’s movements in those summer months.

— Allie Merriam, Vanity Fair, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of restlessness

Noun

Orexins help regulate wakefulness, as well as attention, motivation and the brain’s reward system.

— Harriet Marsden, TheWeek, 20 Aug. 2026
But in people with narcolepsy, such boundaries become blurred, allowing elements of sleep to intrude into wakefulness in varying ways.

— Daryl Austin, USA Today, 8 July 2026

Definition of wakefulness

Noun

If a woman’s brain fog is recorded as early signs of dementia, her anxiety as psychiatric condition, or her sleeplessness as an isolated complaint, the symptom or misdiagnosis may enter the medical record, but its connection to menopause disappears.

— Yulin Hswen, STAT, 27 Aug. 2026
Symptoms Symptoms can include sleeplessness, extreme worry about the baby or childbirth, restlessness and a racing heartbeat.

— Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of sleeplessness

Browse Nearby Words

insolvents

insomnia

insomniac

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Insomnia.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/insomnia. Accessed 11 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of insomnia

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on insomnia

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

patina

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

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

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Words from the 'Odyssey'

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Popular

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Games & Quizzes