SLEEPLESS Synonyms: 34 Similar and Opposite Words

sleepless

adjective

ˈslēp-ləs

Definition of sleepless

as in wakeful

not sleeping or able to sleep lay sleepless with worry

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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 sleepless New dads face psychological pressures, from sleepless nights to sky-high bills, which can contribute to postpartum depression. — Keith Wagstaff, Los Angeles Times, 10 June 2026 An all-stock portfolio would mean sleepless nights for a saver no longer in the work force. — William Baldwin, Forbes.com, 6 June 2026 And while a $3,000 mattress or a 22-step wind-down routine may look like the answer to your sleepless nights, the real answer is likely to be far more accessible, like keeping a consistent sleep-wake schedule and sharpening your sleep hygiene. — Sharon Brandwein, USA Today, 2 June 2026 Night sweats, sleepless nights, brain fog; the search for relief has driven some to get creative in the drugstore aisle, combining daily antihistamines like Allegra or Claritin with antacids like Pepcid AC. — Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 29 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for sleepless

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sleepless

Adjective

Low to medium doses show a reduction in the alpha frequency of brain waves (which correspond to relaxed and wakeful states), along with rising entropy, a signature finding of sober brains sinking deeper into a trip.

— Oshan Jarow, Vox, 4 Nov. 2024
Having the right pillow can make a big difference between a peaceful night’s sleep and a restless, wakeful one.

— Casey Clark, Peoplemag, 9 Sep. 2024

Definition of wakeful

Adjective

When Isul woke, a few hours later, Bo was struggling to stay awake in a chair next to her bed.

— Min Jin Lee, New Yorker, 19 July 2026
If racing thoughts and elevated cortisol are what’s keeping you awake, this one targets the underlying problem rather than sedating you into unconsciousness.

— Lauren Jarvis-Gibson July 18, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 July 2026