1
as in sleeping
desiring or needing sleep
the sleepy children were carried up to bed
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in dull
slow to move or act
a sleepy little town on the coast
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in hypnotic
tending to cause sleep
the sleepy drone of his voice made staying awake a challenge
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 sleepy
On paper, New York State Comptroller is a sleepy job.
—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
22 June 2026
This normally sleepy by-election was closely watched around the world after MP Josh Simons resigned with the deliberate intent of allowing Burnham to win his seat and challenge for the leadership of the country.
—
Josh Feldman,
NBC news,
19 June 2026
As a result, night owls are more likely to feel sleepy upon waking.
—
Olivia McIntosh,
Martha Stewart,
19 June 2026
At some point, sleepy teenagers make their way into the kitchen, lured by the aroma of whatever their mom has decided to bake before dawn.
—
Julie Jordan,
Better Homes & Gardens,
16 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for sleepy
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
22 June 2026
This normally sleepy by-election was closely watched around the world after MP Josh Simons resigned with the deliberate intent of allowing Burnham to win his seat and challenge for the leadership of the country.
—
Josh Feldman,
NBC news,
19 June 2026
As a result, night owls are more likely to feel sleepy upon waking.
—
Olivia McIntosh,
Martha Stewart,
19 June 2026
At some point, sleepy teenagers make their way into the kitchen, lured by the aroma of whatever their mom has decided to bake before dawn.
—
Julie Jordan,
Better Homes & Gardens,
16 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for sleepy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sleepy
Adjective
-
An autopsy showed that the infant died from asphyxiation secondary to a co-sleeping/overlay event with an unsafe sleeping environment.
Adjective
-
Besides toning color, this shampoo acts as a gentle clarifier, removing product buildup from the roots and hair that can make your hair appear dull and greasy.
-
The practical step is small and dull, which feels about right.
Adjective
-
There’s something hypnotic and ritualistic in it, something that can become almost shamanic, almost therapeutic — like a sound bath.
-
Instrumental rock music of the kind Horse Lords make—hypnotic, hyper-focused, complex—usually carries a whiff of manifesto, offering a map toward transcendence of some political, metaphysical, or pick-your-variety kind.
Adjective
-
What to expect over the weekend Though Friday was expected to be the slowest day of the competition, the atmosphere at Cal Expo was anything but dull.
-
Some residents are calling for civilian volunteers to help clear debris, frustrated by the slow pace of the rescue operations.
Adjective
-
That’s because when the body experiences physical stress, including losing weight quickly, more hairs can shift into a resting phase and fall out a few months later — typically two to three months after the event, Rossi explains.
-
This is a condition where, due to stress or hormonal changes, the body puts the hair follicles into a resting phase.
Adjective
-
And just like Alito, some members of my family have forgotten our history and support Trump or favor some of his immigration policies, dismissing new arrivals as criminals or lazy.
-
Today, the park operates more than 40 family-friendly water attractions including thrilling slides, casual pools and a lazy river.
Adjective
-
Allergy drugs can ease those symptoms and make people drowsy, potentially offering relief from insomnia.
-
Fleets that deployed the company's AI dash cams, which detect drowsy or distracted driving, saw a 73% reduction in accidents after 30 months, according to company data from more than 2,600 customers.
Adjective
-
The video shows the motionless suspect in a gray hoodie lying facedown on a chair or sofa while still clutching the knife.
-
Her bus got within 2 miles of the stadium after 25 minutes, and then sat motionless for 30 minutes at Raytown Road and Ozark Road intersection.
Cite this Entry
“Sleepy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sleepy. Accessed 2 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
