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

What to read next Not all crew time can be used for utilization even if all goes well, however, as the station requires normal maintenance like cleaning, and astronauts also need daily time for sleep, meals and a little relaxation. — Elizabeth Howell, Space.com, 9 July 2026

Get between seven and nine hours of quality sleep each night. — Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 9 July 2026

Verb

That may include irregular periods, hot flashes, night sweats, sleep disruption, joint pain, urinary symptoms, heart palpitations, migraines or mood changes that feel tied to your cycle. — Emily Cegielski, Flow Space, 7 July 2026

With no rooster to sing in a new day, Marialice begins a journey in endless night to find the sleeping sun, accompanied by tiny chick Little. — John Hopewell, Variety, 7 July 2026

Phrases Containing sleep

• put to sleep