1
as in sleepy
desiring or needing sleep
trying to teach somnolent students on a very hot day
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in hypnotic
tending to cause sleep
the somnolent hum of insects in the grass
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Recent Examples of somnolent
In it, bands play a quieter part of the song, or start softly, setting a somnolent mood before blowing it apart with a sudden shift in volume and dynamics, with little more warning than some transitional guitar feedback.
—
Aaron Gilbreath, SPIN, 31 Dec. 2024
Neuroscientists have long had an explanation for our somnolent twitches.
—Amanda Gefter, The New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2023
Democrats are walking around in some state of somnolent indifference about Joe Biden.
—Michael Tomasky, The New Republic, 26 June 2023
Returning to the somnolent complacency of years past is not an option.
—Elbridge Colby, Foreign Affairs, 10 Dec. 2019
See All Example Sentences for somnolent
Aaron Gilbreath, SPIN, 31 Dec. 2024
Neuroscientists have long had an explanation for our somnolent twitches.
—Amanda Gefter, The New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2023
Democrats are walking around in some state of somnolent indifference about Joe Biden.
—Michael Tomasky, The New Republic, 26 June 2023
Returning to the somnolent complacency of years past is not an option.
—Elbridge Colby, Foreign Affairs, 10 Dec. 2019
See All Example Sentences for somnolent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for somnolent
Adjective
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After dropping a sleepy rubber match to the Chicago White Sox on Sunday, the Tigers have lost nine of their past 13 games.—
Cody Stavenhagen,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
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In recent years, the government even started paying people to move to its sleepy medieval villages.—
Siobhan Reid,
Robb Report,
7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Their hypnotic live sessions and cultural performances have even earned them their own residency at the popular nightclub venue Hï Ibiza in the Balearic Islands.—
Tere Aguilera,
Billboard,
27 Aug. 2025
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For someone who loves storytelling—fictions that are meant to pass as truth (or at least, emotionally truthful)—a film or TV set is a hypnotic, addictive place to be.—
Jane Ciabattari
August 26,
Literary Hub,
26 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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During the resting phase, hair stops growing and will shed, or fall out.—
Jessica Swirble,
Verywell Health,
10 July 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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There’s nothing quite as soothing as the drowsy calmness that washes over you when your partner runs their hands through your hair.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
25 Aug. 2025
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The DeWine administration cited driver safety as a catalyst for the project: officials noted that truck drivers who can't find a parking spot are known to drive drowsy or pull over to sleep in unsafe areas.—
Annie Goldman,
The Enquirer,
31 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Somnolent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/somnolent. Accessed 8 Sep. 2025.
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