1
as in sleepy
slow to move or act
a torpid sloth that refused to budge off its tree branch
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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
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
Inside, though, Ingrid is in a state of torpid discontent, unhappy with her circumstances but unsure of how to change them.
—Sarah Chihaya, The New York Review of Books, 25 May 2022
The water was so torpid that a thick layer of dust had settled onto it, giving it a cheerless brown tinge.
—Washington Post, 9 Mar. 2022
The ongoing slog has come to symbolize the dilemma multinationals face when confronting Germany’s notoriously torpid bureaucracy.
—Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 28 Feb. 2022
See All Example Sentences for torpid
Janaya Wecker, Good Housekeeping, 10 Aug. 2022
Inside, though, Ingrid is in a state of torpid discontent, unhappy with her circumstances but unsure of how to change them.
—Sarah Chihaya, The New York Review of Books, 25 May 2022
The water was so torpid that a thick layer of dust had settled onto it, giving it a cheerless brown tinge.
—Washington Post, 9 Mar. 2022
The ongoing slog has come to symbolize the dilemma multinationals face when confronting Germany’s notoriously torpid bureaucracy.
—Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 28 Feb. 2022
See All Example Sentences for torpid
Recent Examples of Synonyms for torpid
Adjective
-
Here, then, are 8 financial fixes for anyone with an hour to spare on a sleepy Sunday morning.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
2 Nov. 2025
-
For months, New Jersey’s 2025 governor’s race was considered sleepy political theater—the kind expected to reaffirm the state’s blue credentials before national operatives move on.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
30 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
For one, Chicago is getting numb to seeing its erstwhile heroes in another city’s colors by now.—
Mark Lazerus,
New York Times,
31 Oct. 2025
-
Fans are numb to these sorts of stories.—
Mac Engel
October 23,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Instead, watching Charles attempt to insert himself into the Garfield Administration by forging papers and sneaking into buildings feels repetitive and a bit dull.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Their life in Watertown had been ordinary, maybe even dull sometimes.—
Jamie Thompson,
The Atlantic,
6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
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
Adjective
-
After a sluggish performance in the season opener against the Golden State Warriors, the Los Angeles Lakers responded in a big way Friday night against the Minnesota Timberwolves — all without LeBron James, who was sidelined for the second straight game.—
Cole Sullivan,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Oct. 2025
-
Sentiment among investors and consumers could sour as uncertainty looms over the economy, some economists warned, noting a feedback loop as participants brace for further pain and the ensuing pullback triggers sluggish economic performance.—
Max Zahn,
ABC News,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Persistent trouble falling asleep or staying asleep can be a sign of insomnia or another sleep disorder.—
Katia Hetter,
CNN Money,
3 Nov. 2025
-
The adorable pup lies flat on their stomach, fast asleep, as their owner gently drags them through the airport queue—clearly not quite ready for a full day on duty.—
Lydia Patrick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
At just 5 weeks old and weighing just over 4 pounds, Lilly was lethargic, withdrawn and appeared seriously unwell.—
Alice Gibbs,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Oct. 2025
-
The market is lethargic nationwide, too, with 345,016 sales, down 9% in a year and 18% below average.—
Jonathan Lansner,
Oc Register,
16 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The bottom line is that responsibility for today’s rising positive results for COVID-19 and other once quiescent ailments like pertussis runs directly through Kennedy and Trump.—
Thomas Elias,
Mercury News,
27 Sep. 2025
-
Throughout most of modern history, it was thought that prudent government debt management involved bringing down the ratio of debt to GDP during quiescent periods of growth in order to store fiscal ammunition for the next crisis.—
Kenneth S. Rogoff,
Foreign Affairs,
19 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Torpid.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/torpid. Accessed 9 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share