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
1
as in sleeping
desiring or needing sleep
the sleepy children were carried up to bed
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in dull
slow to move or act
a sleepy little town on the coast
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in hypnotic
tending to cause sleep
the sleepy drone of his voice made staying awake a challenge
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of sleepiness
Will Leitch, Vulture, 19 June 2025
First held in 1923, the 24 Hours of Le Mans is one of the world’s oldest races, and certainly one of the toughest, held around the clock in the otherwise sleepy region of Sarthe in northern France.
—Charlie Thomas, Robb Report, 12 June 2025
The final picture is a solo shot of Ocean Rain, sleepy and sweetly tucked into a coral blanket embroidered with her name.
—Clea Haran, Parents, 23 June 2025
By the end of that summer, the sleepy months had become prime box-office real estate.
—Mark Hughes, Forbes.com, 21 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for sleepiness
Adjective
Cars is Pixar’s most nostalgic work, lamenting the sleepy communities and small-town values lost to the endless march of progress, which may explain why the movie feels so recycled, drawing from different genres without the studio’s usual freshness.
—Will Leitch, Vulture, 19 June 2025
First held in 1923, the 24 Hours of Le Mans is one of the world’s oldest races, and certainly one of the toughest, held around the clock in the otherwise sleepy region of Sarthe in northern France.
—Charlie Thomas, Robb Report, 12 June 2025
The final picture is a solo shot of Ocean Rain, sleepy and sweetly tucked into a coral blanket embroidered with her name.
—Clea Haran, Parents, 23 June 2025
By the end of that summer, the sleepy months had become prime box-office real estate.
—Mark Hughes, Forbes.com, 21 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for sleepiness
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sleepiness
Adjective
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Generally, names as a kind of artist name are quite dull nowadays anyway.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
4 July 2025
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Sometimes, an artist who is too long viewed as an outsider to Music City's style and sound will see the shine of the bright lights grow dull on their art.—
Marcus K. Dowling,
The Tennessean,
2 July 2025
Adjective
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But the tools seem to exert a hypnotic effect, causing the constant flow of suggestions to override the writer’s own voice.—
Kyle Chayka,
New Yorker,
25 June 2025
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Not perfectly, mind you, but there is something almost hypnotic about driving down dirt roads with nothing but horizon in all directions.—
Rich Tabaka,
Forbes.com,
24 June 2025
Adjective
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Forecasters at the National Weather Service said there was the potential for additional catastrophic flooding and heavy rainfall in the region throughout Saturday, given the storm’s slow craw across the state.—
Jessica Schladebeck,
New York Daily News,
5 July 2025
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Even though we've all been told gray is on its way out for quite some time, it's been a slow burn.—
Tessa Cooper,
Southern Living,
5 July 2025
Noun
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Listeriosis symptoms may include fever, muscle aches, nausea, fatigue, vomiting and diarrhea for those with a mild illness.—
Marley Malenfant,
Austin American Statesman,
3 July 2025
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Hours of service limits are meant to reduce driver fatigue.—
Matthew Adams,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
3 July 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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By the end of the summer, there will be another pool with a zero-entry layout, lazy river, and seven private cabanas.—
Lisa Cericola,
Southern Living,
11 July 2025
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And perhaps that is lazy script writing from the football gods.—
Megan Feringa,
New York Times,
10 July 2025
Adjective
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Yet the car will likely obey speed limits, never get drowsy or drunk and never rubberneck or give in to road rage.—
Deni Ellis Béchard,
Scientific American,
22 June 2025
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Preparation through adequate rest is an important part of avoiding drowsy driving, which could be fatal according to NHTSA.—
Charles Singh,
Nashville Tennessean,
9 May 2025
Noun
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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 16 Jul. 2025.
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