as in drowsiness
the quality or state of desiring or needing sleep
the truck driver keeps a thermos of coffee with him to stave off sleepiness
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Recent Examples of sleepiness
At higher doses, kratom reduces anxiety and causes sleepiness, the way strong pain drugs like opioids (heroin or fentanyl) do.
—
Gary Kirkilas Ii, Boston Herald, 1 Feb. 2026
In the short term, caffeine in coffee works by blocking adenosine, a neurotransmitter (brain chemical) involved in promoting sleepiness.
—Sarah Jividen, Verywell Health, 21 Jan. 2026
Brighter recent light was also linked to lower sleepiness at any time of day, but this was strongest in the participants with the brightest light exposure during the day and who also had earlier bedtimes.
—New Atlas, 17 Jan. 2026
Your balloon fills up with sleepiness throughout the day.
—Andee Tagle, NPR, 15 Jan. 2026
In a clinical study of tradipitant, side effects were infrequent and mild, with a small percent of users reporting sleepiness and fatigue.
—Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 8 Jan. 2026
Ounce for ounce, turkey contains less tryptophan—an amino acid popularly blamed for post-Thanksgiving sleepiness—than cheddar cheese or an octopus does.
—The Atlantic Science Desk, The Atlantic, 27 Dec. 2025
Studies showed that some women experienced side effects including dizziness, sleepiness and nausea, and less than 2% had to discontinue Addyi because of them.
—Alice Park, Time, 16 Dec. 2025
Her sleepiness follows her there.
—Literary Hub, 8 Dec. 2025
Gary Kirkilas Ii, Boston Herald, 1 Feb. 2026
In the short term, caffeine in coffee works by blocking adenosine, a neurotransmitter (brain chemical) involved in promoting sleepiness.
—Sarah Jividen, Verywell Health, 21 Jan. 2026
Brighter recent light was also linked to lower sleepiness at any time of day, but this was strongest in the participants with the brightest light exposure during the day and who also had earlier bedtimes.
—New Atlas, 17 Jan. 2026
Your balloon fills up with sleepiness throughout the day.
—Andee Tagle, NPR, 15 Jan. 2026
In a clinical study of tradipitant, side effects were infrequent and mild, with a small percent of users reporting sleepiness and fatigue.
—Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 8 Jan. 2026
Ounce for ounce, turkey contains less tryptophan—an amino acid popularly blamed for post-Thanksgiving sleepiness—than cheddar cheese or an octopus does.
—The Atlantic Science Desk, The Atlantic, 27 Dec. 2025
Studies showed that some women experienced side effects including dizziness, sleepiness and nausea, and less than 2% had to discontinue Addyi because of them.
—Alice Park, Time, 16 Dec. 2025
Her sleepiness follows her there.
—Literary Hub, 8 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sleepiness
Noun
-
The virus can lead to severe symptoms, including disorientation, drowsiness, seizures or encephalitis, which is inflammation of the brain.—
Mary Kekatos,
ABC News,
29 Jan. 2026
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Signs of hypothermia include shivering, pale and cold skin, confusion and fatigue, difficulty walking or talking, memory loss and drowsiness, according to the Maryland Department of Health.—
Natalie Jones,
Baltimore Sun,
23 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Side effects can include fever, fatigue, intestinal symptoms, skin rashes or neurological symptoms.—
Janelle Ash,
FOXNews.com,
6 Feb. 2026
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This included no meaningful excess of memory loss or dementia, depression, sleep disturbance, erectile dysfunction, weight gain, nausea, fatigue or headache.—
Sara Moniuszko,
USA Today,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
With a 190-square-foot living area, two bedrooms, and an additional sleeping loft, this cabin has plenty of space.—
Rylee Johnston,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Feb. 2026
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In the case of this bill, an accessory dwelling unit is a secondary living space that has its own kitchen, bathroom and sleeping area.—
Max Klaver,
Miami Herald,
7 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The people went to the emergency department with tachycardia, confusion, anxiety or somnolence, and nausea after eating gummy candies labeled as containing Amanita muscaria mushrooms.—
Beth Mole,
Ars Technica,
19 July 2024
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Organized labor shows corporate managements who’s the boss: This year continued the strengthening of union power after decades of somnolence.—
Michael Hiltzik,
Los Angeles Times,
21 Dec. 2023
Cite this Entry
“Sleepiness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sleepiness. Accessed 9 Feb. 2026.
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