Synonyms of sleep

sleep 1 of 2

noun

ˈslēp 

1

as in bed

a natural periodic loss of consciousness during which the body restores itself

neither of them has been getting much sleep since the baby was born

Synonyms & Similar Words

• bed
• slumber
• napping
• resting
• slumbering
• rest
• nap
• shut-eye
• dozing
• snoozing
• catnapping
• dreaming
• repose
• doze
• catnap
• drowse
• snooze
• siesta
• wink
• forty winks
• oversleeping
• z's
• rapid eye movement

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• consciousness
• wake
• wakefulness
• insomnia
• sleeplessness

2

as in death

the state of being dead

a grieving widower longing to join his beloved wife in her eternal sleep

Synonyms & Similar Words

• death
• dead
• mortality
• grave
• deadness
• nothingness
• lifelessness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• life
• existence
• immortality
• lifetime
• lifespan

3

as in fate

the permanent stopping of all the vital bodily activities

regretfully put their terminally ill dog to sleep

Synonyms & Similar Words

• death
• fate
• demise
• passing
• doom
• curtains
• grave
• exit
• dissolution
• decease
• passage
• end
• quietus
• expiration
• suicide
• expiry
• great divide
• destruction
• fatality
• assassination
• casualty
• execution
• martyrdom
• killing
• slaughter
• annihilation
• ending
• ruin
• extermination
• self-slaughter
• massacre
• self-destruction
• self-murder

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• birth
• life
• existence
• nativity
• rise
• creation
• genesis
• origination

sleep

2 of 2

verb

1

as in to rest

to be in a state of sleep

the baby slept for the entire length of the car trip

found the night watchman sleeping at his post

Synonyms & Similar Words

• rest
• nap
• slumber
• doze
• snooze
• dream
• catnap
• drop off
• sleep in
• oversleep
• nod off
• hibernate
• drowse (off)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• rise
• arise
• wake
• awake
• arouse

2

as in to breed

to engage in sexual intercourse

if I don't read the tabloids, how will I know who is sleeping with whom this week?

Synonyms & Similar Words

• breed
• mate
• have sex
• copulate
• do it
• fornicate
• fool around

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of sleep

Noun

These ripples are associated with spikes of activity in the prefrontal cortex, and scientists only observe them during periods of sleep or quiet, wakeful rest. — Sean McCabe, Hartford Courant, 18 Oct. 2026

Walia added that an inconsistent sleep schedule is also linked to a number of long-term health problems. — Sarah Klein, Washington Post, 17 Oct. 2026

Verb

The recommended sleep setup includes a mattress topper, two pillow firmness options, a spare blanket at the foot of the bed, blackout curtains or sleep masks and a white noise machine or earplugs. — Lauren Schuster, Miami Herald, 19 Oct. 2026

In the city that never sleeps, Halloween, which falls on a Saturday this year, is the official start for all the holiday fun to come. — Tonya Blazio-Licorish, Footwear News, 18 Oct. 2026

Phrases Containing sleep

• put to sleep