1
as in sleeping
desiring or needing sleep
the sleepy children were carried up to bed
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2
as in dull
slow to move or act
a sleepy little town on the coast
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3
as in hypnotic
tending to cause sleep
the sleepy drone of his voice made staying awake a challenge
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4
as in slow
lacking in gaiety, movement, or animation
a sleepy party that was mostly attended by the same boring people I work with
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of sleepy
Before the Pacers began as a franchise in 1967, Indianapolis was a sleepy, rundown town that woke up for three events a year.
—
Bruce Martin, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025
As oxygen and nutrient intake diminish, energy levels quickly follow and infected children often become sleepy or unresponsive.
—Daryl Austin, USA Today, 8 May 2025
Watch for sleepy cues: Look for signs of sleepiness, such as eye rubbing, yawning, fussiness, or staring into space.
—Jonathan B. Jassey, Verywell Health, 5 May 2025
Carbon monoxide can also cause the victim to become sleepy, lose consciousness, or lose muscle function as the dangerous gas stops oxygen flow to the brain, heart, and other important cells and organs.
—Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 12 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sleepy
Bruce Martin, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025
As oxygen and nutrient intake diminish, energy levels quickly follow and infected children often become sleepy or unresponsive.
—Daryl Austin, USA Today, 8 May 2025
Watch for sleepy cues: Look for signs of sleepiness, such as eye rubbing, yawning, fussiness, or staring into space.
—Jonathan B. Jassey, Verywell Health, 5 May 2025
Carbon monoxide can also cause the victim to become sleepy, lose consciousness, or lose muscle function as the dangerous gas stops oxygen flow to the brain, heart, and other important cells and organs.
—Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 12 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sleepy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sleepy
Adjective
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There’s an effort from the developer, Far Out Games, to tell a captivating noirish story here but the cutscenes and dialogue are painfully dull.—
Joshua Lamb,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2025
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The bristles of the brush manually sweep away dull, rough, flaky skin cells.—
Angela Palmer,
Verywell Health,
20 May 2025
Adjective
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In the room with us in Valencia, the dolls eyes’ are hypnotic, carrying a trace of malevolence.—
Joshua Rothkopf,
Los Angeles Times,
14 May 2025
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Shot in the Colombian desert, this new film is nothing short of hypnotic.—
Marta Balaga,
Variety,
14 May 2025
Adjective
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Albon asked Williams for information on where Leclerc was likely slow at the restart, looking for a spot to capitalize.—
Luke Smith,
New York Times,
18 May 2025
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Combs Grows Frustrated Combs was animated during Ventura’s cross-examination, appearing somewhat frustrated with the tedious, slow pace that his attorney was taking when quizzing Ventura.—
Cheyenne Roundtree,
Rolling Stone,
18 May 2025
Adjective
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Telogen Stage The telogen stage of the hair cycle is a resting phase, during which the hair doesn't grow, and the follicle is dormant.1 About 10% to 15% of the hairs on your body are in this resting phase at any one time, which typically lasts for a few months.—
Nancy LeBrun,
Verywell Health,
13 Jan. 2025
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Green Bay could finish as high as sixth in the NFC if the resting Rams lose to the 49ers, potentially setting up a first-round matchup against the division-rival Lions.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
6 Jan. 2024
Adjective
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RuPaul wants a Drag Superstar, not an ordinary girl who gets lazy and gets bored.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
23 May 2025
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Jack Sparks, aquatics director for the city, said Black Bob Bay’s water park typically draws the biggest crowds with its lazy river, rock wall and high dive.—
Beth Lipoff,
Kansas City Star,
23 May 2025
Adjective
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Safety upgrades include a lane-centering system, a surround-view camera system, rear automatic braking, forward collision warning with automatic braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assistance, lane departure warning and a drowsy driver monitor.—
James Raia,
Mercury News,
18 May 2025
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Studies have shown that teens who experience a lack of sleep could suffer negative consequences, including an inability to concentrate, poor grades, drowsy driving incidents, anxiety, depression, and many more.—
Sixteen Ramos,
USA Today,
10 May 2025
Adjective
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For the past couple weeks, the Orioles have appeared quite lethargic.—
Chuck Murr,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2025
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Pets may appear lethargic, exhibit loss of appetite, vomit or have diarrhea.—
David Faris,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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While there are a half-dozen or so worthy books on the list, most of them are somnolent doctoral theses that probably should not have been acquired in the first place.—
George Liebmann,
Baltimore Sun,
21 May 2025
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The nighttime strike on somnolent Russians might not have been possible just a few months ago.—
David Axe,
Forbes.com,
28 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sleepy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sleepy. Accessed 29 May. 2025.
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