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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in fate
the permanent stopping of all the vital bodily activities
regretfully put their terminally ill dog to sleep
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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 sleep
Samantha Agate,
Kansas City Star,
2 July 2026
According to his lawsuit, Lines meanwhile lost sleep, and began isolating from his friends and family.
—
Maggie Harrison Dupré,
Futurism,
2 July 2026
Vera Lucia Pappaterra,
Miami Herald,
1 July 2026
John Russick, director of curatorial affairs at the Chicago History Museum, told WBBM Newsradio back in 2011 that the heat during those Great Depression years also had people sleeping on their roofs and in parks.
—
Adam Harrington,
CBS News,
1 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for sleep
Noun
Oura’s Resilience score also draws heavily on HRV patterns during sleep and recovery.
—
Samantha Agate,
Kansas City Star,
2 July 2026
According to his lawsuit, Lines meanwhile lost sleep, and began isolating from his friends and family.
—
Maggie Harrison Dupré,
Futurism,
2 July 2026
Verb
Speakers said recently released people and family members have described detainees sleeping on concrete floors, going days without showers, receiving limited food and water and bathrooms without adequate privacy.
—
Vera Lucia Pappaterra,
Miami Herald,
1 July 2026
John Russick, director of curatorial affairs at the Chicago History Museum, told WBBM Newsradio back in 2011 that the heat during those Great Depression years also had people sleeping on their roofs and in parks.
—
Adam Harrington,
CBS News,
1 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for sleep
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sleep
Noun
-
The father, Marquise Anderson, said Joanna wet the bed on two occasions on a night in February at the house in the 1900 block of Daniel Street.
-
The case challenges the agency’s practice of holding noncitizens for sometimes days in facilities without a bed or other adequate accommodations.
Noun
-
Benning's cause of death was a fatal combination of a large amount of cocaine dissolved in alcohol, medical examiners testified during Taylor's trial.
-
According to a Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner death investigation report obtained by USA TODAY on July 1, Ransone's brother told an officer with the Los Angeles Police Department that the actor had a history of suicidal ideation.
Noun
-
Diaz said the fate of the next 250 years for the United States is dependent on how adults prepare the next generation to take on the mantle.
-
The deal brings to a close a legal battle that dragged in the courts over several years between Yale New Haven Health and Prospect Medical Holdings concerning the fate of Prospect’s three Connecticut hospitals.
Verb
-
Allow the ribs to rest at room temperature while preparing the smoker.
-
Norway, which rested starter and fan-favorite Erling Haaland for its group play finale against France on Friday, June 26, is looking to reach the Round of 16 for the first time since 1998.
Verb
-
These stunning, resilient shrub roses are bred to thrive in heat and humidity, resisting related diseases.
-
When the alpha is dethroned, his replacement typically does in his predecessor’s cubs so that the females in the pride will breed again.
Noun
-
Mighty ice breakers moored in their summer slumber are the only reminder of the bitter Baltic winters.
-
But with the weather warming as Japan has entered summer, the bears have emerged from their slumber – and are heading back into cities and towns.
Noun
-
Perhaps most notably, in several areas along the Western Front during World War I, British and German troops spontaneously observed an unofficial truce to celebrate the Christmas holiday and bury their dead.
-
The Navy helped turn one of the few places where its dead still rest in view of the living into a recreation stop.
Noun
-
In a sense, Western multinationals unwittingly created their chief global competitors, along with the conditions for their own demise.
-
Iserson also touched on Ponies‘ modest viewership, which ultimately led to its demise despite strong critical acclaim.
Cite this Entry
“Sleep.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sleep. Accessed 3 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
