Synonyms of somnolent

somnolent

adjective

ˈsäm-nə-lənt 

1

as in sleepy

desiring or needing sleep

trying to teach somnolent students on a very hot day

Synonyms & Similar Words

• sleepy
• sleeping
• resting
• drowsy
• dozy
• slumberous
• asleep
• dormant
• slumbering
• dozing
• nodding
• yawning

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• conscious
• awake
• wakeful
• alert
• wide-awake
• restless
• sleepless
• restive
• insomniac

2

as in hypnotic

tending to cause sleep

the somnolent hum of insects in the grass

Synonyms & Similar Words

• hypnotic
• soporific
• drowsy
• sleepy
• soothing
• slumberous
• narcotic
• opiate
• hypnotizing
• somniferous
• comforting
• quieting
• depressant
• sedative
• restful
• dulling
• relaxing
• tranquilizing
• relaxant
• calming
• settling
• anesthetic
• deadening
• analgesic
• stupefying
• lulling
• benumbing
• numbing
• anesthetizing
• pacifying
• mesmerizing

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• stimulant
• waking
• stimulating
• rousing
• arousing
• energizing
• refreshing
• bracing
• awakening
• reviving
• restorative
• stimulative
• invigorating
• stimulatory
• wakening

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of somnolent

One is the practice of taking very short breaks, or microbreaks, during the workday rather than — or even in addition to — a long, somnolent lunch break. — David Faris, TheWeek, 1 Jan. 2026

Cliché upon cliché, The Magic of Belle Isle rests heavy on the considerable charm of its actors and the utterly somnolent predictability of the storytelling. — Will Leitch, Vulture, 16 Dec. 2025

While there are a half-dozen or so worthy books on the list, most of them are somnolent doctoral theses that probably should not have been acquired in the first place. — George Liebmann, Baltimore Sun, 21 May 2025

Washington’s running game, which had been somnolent for a month, came back to life Saturday, gaining 182 yards against the Lions. — David Aldridge, The Athletic, 19 Jan. 2025

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