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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of somnolent
The nighttime strike on somnolent Russians might not have been possible just a few months ago.
—
David Axe, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 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
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
See All Example Sentences for somnolent
David Axe, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 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
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
See All Example Sentences for somnolent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for somnolent
Adjective
-
The series’ Vladimir, played by Leo Woodall, is a rising literary star and a young father who’s just arrived at a sleepy upstate college, where he and his wife are set to teach.—
Inkoo Kang,
New Yorker,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Then, last Tuesday, Jackie started pancaking — lying flat in the nest bowl — for long stretches and her eyes looked sleepy.—
Lila Seidman,
Los Angeles Times,
3 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The mountain is incredibly hypnotic when catching the pearly hues of the first and last light of day and distils the unearthly beauty of the Himalayas into one gorgeous frame.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
27 Feb. 2026
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Stasevska was born in 1984, the same year that Glass’ hypnotic, ritualistic opera, about an Egyptian pharaoh who dared to push monotheism onto his polytheistic culture, debuted in Stuttgart, Germany.—
Tim Greiving,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
An autopsy showed that the infant died from asphyxiation secondary to a co-sleeping/overlay event with an unsafe sleeping environment.—
Laura Bauer,
Kansas City Star,
26 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
This is a condition where, due to stress or hormonal changes, the body puts the hair follicles into a resting phase.—
Essence,
Essence,
19 Dec. 2025
-
Taking minoxidil orally can support the hair follicle cycle and trigger anagen (the resting phase) prematurely.—
Jessie Quinn,
Flow Space,
23 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Afternoons here are deliciously drowsy, spent dozing in the shade, gently parting calm sea water, or gliding past craggy rock formations in a little motor-boat.—
Rosalyn Wikeley,
Condé Nast Traveler,
10 Jan. 2026
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When a clumsy neighbor passes by or predatory seabirds are near, the penguin parent blinks to alert attention and soon dozes off again, its chin nodding against its chest, like a drowsy driver.—
Nicky Forster,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Somnolent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/somnolent. Accessed 7 Mar. 2026.
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