TORPID Synonyms: 82 Similar and Opposite Words

torpid

adjective

ˈtȯr-pəd

Definition of torpid

as in sleepy

slow to move or act a torpid sloth that refused to budge off its tree branch

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in numb

lacking in sensation or feeling my tongue and throat remained torpid for a time following the endoscopy

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 torpid The sequel, by contrast, is torpid, clogged with lengthy but uninteresting tête-à-têtes and generally lacking in vigor, even in the two blowout battle scenes in the final act. — Kyle Smith, WSJ, 10 Nov. 2022 Even since Thailand’s 2014 coup d’etat that brought Prayuth to power, reform of the police has topped the agenda, yet progress has been torpid. — Charlie Campbell, Time, 6 Oct. 2022 The intensity of that airlift — one of the largest in history — stands in sharp contrast to the torpid pace of evacuations after the withdrawal. — Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2022 This lowers the body temperature so much that a torpid hummingbird maintains a hypothermic threshold that nears death. — Janaya Wecker, Good Housekeeping, 10 Aug. 2022 See All Example Sentences for torpid

Recent Examples of Synonyms for torpid

Adjective

Booksellers like Payne typically post their holdings on multiple websites, such as AbeBooks, Alibris, Amazon, and Biblio, with Alibris widely considered to be the sleepiest revenue stream of the bunch.

— Francesca Mancino, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2026
For most of their lives, the tracks were a sleepy industrial bypass known as the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Railway.

— John Lippert, Chicago Tribune, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of sleepy

Adjective

When the old man dies, her numb reaction appears caught between grief and relief, though her two adult sons show little understanding of her emotional state.

— Guy Lodge, Variety, 30 Aug. 2026
Be sure to start below the injury and wrap upward, overlapping each layer but never so tightly that fingers or toes become numb or painful.

— Dr. Jill Grimes, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of numb

Adjective

Designed for limp, oily, and dull hair, the color-safe formula washes away stubborn dirt and grime—common culprits of flat waves—while a lineup of amino acids work to soften and strengthen strands.

— Madison San Miguel, Allure, 5 Sep. 2026
Using the pretense of a documentary film crew, the show follows the excruciatingly dull workday experiences of a paper supply company in a drab office in a bleak industrial estate in Slough, England.

— René Ostberg, Encyclopedia Britannica, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of dull

Adjective

When Bill’s older brother Henry (Barry Ward) finds the pianist in numbed solitude in his dingy apartment, Bill has canceled all his upcoming gigs, saying Scotty cannot be replaced.

— David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 13 Feb. 2026
Ingber also notes the numbed response to these strikes from much of the American public, something that, in part, may come from the routine nature of these drone strikes as something that the nation has become desensitized to dropping bombs on enemies.

— Rebecca Schneid, Time, 21 Oct. 2025

Definition of numbed

Adjective

Still, some analysts worry that rising device prices will cover up sluggish unit sales, a shortfall that would eventually show up in other key areas like Apple's services division.

— Kif Leswing, CNBC, 1 Sep. 2026
When researchers first began tinkering with large-scale additive manufacturing, printers squeezed out material at a sluggish 20 pounds per hour.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of sluggish

Adjective

Since staterooms are clustered closely together, keeping voices down in hallways—especially late at night—shows consideration for neighbors who may already be asleep.

— Jill Schildhouse, Southern Living, 29 Aug. 2026
Video appears to show the operator asleep moments before the collision.

— ABC News, ABC News, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of asleep

Adjective

The national committee has faced a host of criticism from other Democrats for its lethargic fundraising, including calls for DNC Chair Ken Martin to step down that have so far gone unheeded.

— Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 8 Sep. 2026
So keep an eye our for habit changes and call a veterinarian if a cat stops eating, becomes lethargic, vomits, appears weak or develops yellowing around the eyes, gums or skin.

— Lauren Paige Richeson, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of lethargic

Adjective

Experts believe the volcano is currently in a quiescent state, but researchers monitor it around the clock.

— Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 20 July 2026
For galaxies with a quiescent supermassive black hole, astronomers measure how quickly the stars tightly packed near the center of the galaxy are traveling.

— Mary Ogborn, The Conversation, 25 June 2026

Definition of quiescent

Browse Nearby Words

torpedoes

torpid

torpidity

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“Torpid.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/torpid. Accessed 9 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of torpid

adjective

Example Sentences

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