sleepiness

Definition of sleepinessnext
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 sleepiness Other common sleep issues that don’t affect the airways include movement disorders that cause nighttime restlessness or narcolepsy, a neurological disorder that affects the body’s sleep-wake cycles and causes excessive sleepiness. — Samantha Agate, Sacbee.com, 24 Sep. 2026 In young children, THC intoxication can cause profound sleepiness, confusion, impaired coordination, vomiting and changes in heart rate. — Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2026 To sleep, no more Two scientists who identified the role that a key neuropeptide plays in the uncontrollable sleepiness of narcolepsy were one of three recipients of the prestigious Lasker Awards, announced Thursday. — O. Rose Broderick, STAT, 10 Sep. 2026 Consuming the oil or leaves can cause vomiting, dizziness, sleepiness, and muscle weakness. — Sarah Bence, Verywell Health, 25 Aug. 2026 Takeda is testing orexin-targeting drugs for sleep apnea and chronic daytime sleepiness. — Harriet Marsden, TheWeek, 20 Aug. 2026 Adherence is often low, and untreated sleep apnea can worsen hypertension, atrial fibrillation and the daytime sleepiness. — Jesse M. Pines, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026 Chamomile contains apigenin, an antioxidant that has been shown to promote sleepiness and sleep quality. — Mura Dominko, Martha Stewart, 9 Aug. 2026 Loud snoring, daytime sleepiness and obesity are common signs. — Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 4 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sleepiness
Noun
  • Provincial traffic police said driver fatigue and drowsiness caused the crash.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 26 Sep. 2026
  • Overdosing on the drug can cause extreme drowsiness, confusion, impaired coordination, decreased reflexes, respiratory depression, coma and possible death.
    — Natasha Holt, FOXNews.com, 5 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • The pressure and unpredictability can create widespread employee fatigue.
    — Sam Birchall, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2026
  • And Hawaii is enduring hurricane fatigue after Lala, Lowell and Nolo all swiped by the island chain with heavy rain and strong winds.
    — Chris Dolce, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Some of the builders were delighted by the strange setup — the sleeping alcoves for him and Lakofski, the balustrade inspired by the chain link of a nearby playground (and, maybe, a little Frank Gehry).
    — Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 30 Sep. 2026
  • New research presented at an international cancer conference this week suggests that unhealthy sleeping patterns may contribute to the development and progression of breast cancer.
    — David Cox, NBC news, 28 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • From there, the story builds on the uncertainty, rocking the somnolence of a small town in the province of Badajoz, and forcing a community to choose between disbelief and the need to prove what can’t be seen.
    — Emiliano De Pablos, Variety, 9 Feb. 2026
  • 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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Cite this Entry

“Sleepiness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sleepiness. Accessed 7 Oct. 2026.

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