as in wakeful
not sleeping or able to sleep
an insomniac veteran tormented by his memories of the war
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Recent Examples of insomniac
Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 6 Feb. 2026
Bear: insomniac clown, randomly does seven back flips in a row, eats raw garlic.
—Julian Sancton, HollywoodReporter, 28 Oct. 2025
In between, there’s Bluesky on the bus, Spotify at the gym, Instagram at lunch, YouTube before dinner, X for toothbrushing, Pinterest for the insomniac hours.
—Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2025
Even an insomniac film critic couldn’t see half of the films playing Fantasia 2025 during the three weeks of the festival.
—Scott Phillips, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2025
The four-time Grammy winner dazzled exhibitors with a mini-concert at CinemaCon to jazz them up for the film, which follows a version of himself, an insomniac musician, who encounters a mysterious stranger.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 14 May 2025
There are some insomniac flies who would like a word.
—Elizabeth Rayne, ArsTechnica, 2 May 2025
The Gorge centers on these two lonely insomniac snipers who connect with one another from towers that are 600 meters apart.
—Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Feb. 2025
Every night, inhabitants of the city that never sleeps are kept awake by everything from the sounds of slammed front doors reverberating down hallways to insomniac oboists who could use a few more lessons (ideally during the day).
—Natalie Wexler, The New Yorker, 25 Sep. 2024
Sofi Zeman
january 8, Kansas City Star, 8 Jan. 2026
Schoolchildren, insomniacs and everyone in between began stumbling onto this little gem and telling their friends about it.
—Duante Beddingfield, Freep.com, 6 Nov. 2025
Here’s a great last-minute Christmas gift for insomniacs, the chronically stressed, new mothers, and anyone with roommates or without curtains.
—Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 8 Oct. 2025
To play an emaciated insomniac in The Machinist, Bale underwent one of the most drastic transformations in Hollywood history, whittling his weight down to just 121 lbs.
—Mike Miller, PEOPLE, 6 Sep. 2025
Dinner, of course, was only Act I: the glitzy flock later migrated to Tesa 113 at Venice’s Arsenale, where the dancing went on until the hours when only seagulls and insomniacs are awake.
—Tiziana Cardini, Vogue, 1 Sep. 2025
Late night used to command attention from insomniacs, college students and marketers looking to reach an audience that was traditionally younger than primetime.
—Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 18 July 2025
The 'underpaid therapists' The potential ban comes after years of scientific study suggesting medicinal benefits of cannabinoids for many people, from veterans to cancer patients to insomniacs.
—Ryan Hopper, Austin American Statesman, 17 Apr. 2025
Europe's most exquisite portrait of an insomniac, as dazzling after such a day in the sun as the moon itself.
—Antonia Quirke, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 May 2024
Adjective
Ergonomic and more inherently cooling than memory foam, the luxury home buy can last you a lifetime — one marked by the kind of sleep that can make any insomniac jealous.
—Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 6 Feb. 2026
Bear: insomniac clown, randomly does seven back flips in a row, eats raw garlic.
—Julian Sancton, HollywoodReporter, 28 Oct. 2025
In between, there’s Bluesky on the bus, Spotify at the gym, Instagram at lunch, YouTube before dinner, X for toothbrushing, Pinterest for the insomniac hours.
—Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2025
Even an insomniac film critic couldn’t see half of the films playing Fantasia 2025 during the three weeks of the festival.
—Scott Phillips, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2025
The four-time Grammy winner dazzled exhibitors with a mini-concert at CinemaCon to jazz them up for the film, which follows a version of himself, an insomniac musician, who encounters a mysterious stranger.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 14 May 2025
There are some insomniac flies who would like a word.
—Elizabeth Rayne, ArsTechnica, 2 May 2025
The Gorge centers on these two lonely insomniac snipers who connect with one another from towers that are 600 meters apart.
—Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Feb. 2025
Every night, inhabitants of the city that never sleeps are kept awake by everything from the sounds of slammed front doors reverberating down hallways to insomniac oboists who could use a few more lessons (ideally during the day).
—Natalie Wexler, The New Yorker, 25 Sep. 2024
Noun
Early risers and insomniacs alike know an entirely different Kansas City.
—Sofi Zeman
january 8, Kansas City Star, 8 Jan. 2026
Schoolchildren, insomniacs and everyone in between began stumbling onto this little gem and telling their friends about it.
—Duante Beddingfield, Freep.com, 6 Nov. 2025
Here’s a great last-minute Christmas gift for insomniacs, the chronically stressed, new mothers, and anyone with roommates or without curtains.
—Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 8 Oct. 2025
To play an emaciated insomniac in The Machinist, Bale underwent one of the most drastic transformations in Hollywood history, whittling his weight down to just 121 lbs.
—Mike Miller, PEOPLE, 6 Sep. 2025
Dinner, of course, was only Act I: the glitzy flock later migrated to Tesa 113 at Venice’s Arsenale, where the dancing went on until the hours when only seagulls and insomniacs are awake.
—Tiziana Cardini, Vogue, 1 Sep. 2025
Late night used to command attention from insomniacs, college students and marketers looking to reach an audience that was traditionally younger than primetime.
—Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 18 July 2025
The 'underpaid therapists' The potential ban comes after years of scientific study suggesting medicinal benefits of cannabinoids for many people, from veterans to cancer patients to insomniacs.
—Ryan Hopper, Austin American Statesman, 17 Apr. 2025
Europe's most exquisite portrait of an insomniac, as dazzling after such a day in the sun as the moon itself.
—Antonia Quirke, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 May 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for insomniac
Adjective
-
Tips to Break the Bedtime Screen Habit Dr. Verma, who was not involved in the research, offers the following tips to prevent wakeful effects from smartphones and get better sleep: Avoid screens 30 to 60 minutes before bedtime.—
Emily Kay Votruba,
EverydayHealth.com,
31 Mar. 2025
-
Lauren Goode: Who among us doesn't want to have a nap gently guided by our wakeful rhythm?—
Lauren Goode,
WIRED,
16 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
At the annual Oscar nominations lunch, gauging the applause meter is part of the game, as the Academy rep (in this case, Lou Diamond Phillips) calls each nominee up to the riser for the class photo.—
Anne Thompson,
IndieWire,
10 Feb. 2026
-
On the position player side, Florida State product Alex Lodise — drafted in the second round in 2025 — will have the chance to be a fast riser.—
Gabriel Burns,
AJC.com,
6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Since this process uses local anaesthesia, patients will remain awake but comfortable, maintaining their ability to talk to the team or simply rest.—
Ethan Stone,
USA Today,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Living rooms spend their days catching strong daylight, so mid-weight panels in softer tones tend to do well there, taming glare while keeping the space bright enough to feel awake and social.—
Maria Williams,
Ascend Agency,
20 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Not including sleepless nights.—
Chierstin Roth,
CBS News,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Thousands of opinions, sleepless nights and countless responsibilities that come with being a CEO – all included.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
3 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Insomniac.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/insomniac. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
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