1
as in sleeping
desiring or needing sleep
the sleepy children were carried up to bed
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2
as in dull
slow to move or act
a sleepy little town on the coast
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3
as in hypnotic
tending to cause sleep
the sleepy drone of his voice made staying awake a challenge
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4
as in slow
lacking in gaiety, movement, or animation
a sleepy party that was mostly attended by the same boring people I work with
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of sleepy
The video should be available later, allowing sleepy sky watchers to tune in for spectacle at a more reasonable time of day.
—
Carlyn Kranking, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 Mar. 2025
The Columbus Blue Jackets were hosting the New York Rangers on a sleepy Sunday in late February.
—Aaron Portzline, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
Some will become playful in response, while others might act calmer or sleepy.
—Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 28 Mar. 2025
In his view, what was once a sleepy, blue-collar village is becoming an extension of downtown Sacramento.
—Annika Merrilees, Sacbee.com, 27 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sleepy
Carlyn Kranking, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 Mar. 2025
The Columbus Blue Jackets were hosting the New York Rangers on a sleepy Sunday in late February.
—Aaron Portzline, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
Some will become playful in response, while others might act calmer or sleepy.
—Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 28 Mar. 2025
In his view, what was once a sleepy, blue-collar village is becoming an extension of downtown Sacramento.
—Annika Merrilees, Sacbee.com, 27 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sleepy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sleepy
Adjective
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Miracle leave-in product: on sale for $28 (30% off) Original price: $40 (Ulta) Dealing with dull or damaged hair?—
Christopher Murray,
FOXNews.com,
2 Apr. 2025
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No race including Bianco or Jenner should ever be dull, though, and this one likely won’t be either.—
Thomas Elias,
The Mercury News,
21 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Saltz: Lorazepam is in the class of medications called benzodiazepines, which is a depressant, and also sometimes referred to as a sedative hypnotic medication.—
Ben Tinker,
CNN Money,
30 Mar. 2025
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An unusual — and hypnotic — event is taking place at a lake in Northern California.—
Toria Sheffield,
People.com,
29 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The building Celine now occupies what used to be a slow pop-up for Dior and Loro Piana.—
Tianwei Zhang,
Footwear News,
10 Apr. 2025
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Of the slow, unsexy work of loving someone even in the worst times.—
Ruhama Wolle,
Glamour,
10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Telogen Stage The telogen stage of the hair cycle is a resting phase, during which the hair doesn't grow, and the follicle is dormant.1 About 10% to 15% of the hairs on your body are in this resting phase at any one time, which typically lasts for a few months.—
Nancy LeBrun,
Verywell Health,
13 Jan. 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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For those who prefer a little more structure to their days, the resort has all kinds of other tricks up its sleeve, including an expansive waterpark featuring a lazy river, several waterslides, and adults-only pools surrounded by cabanas and day beds.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
3 Apr. 2025
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Attractions include a one-acre wave pool, lazy river, and Summit Plummet, one of the tallest and fastest free-fall body slides in the world.—
Carly Caramanna,
Travel + Leisure,
2 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Fatigue Being tired at the end of the day or drowsy at bedtime is not the same thing as fatigue, which is more severe than simply feeling tired.—
Nancy LeBrun,
Verywell Health,
28 Mar. 2025
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The perpetually drowsy dwarf is voiced by Andy Grotelueschen, who has appeared in Elementary, The Good Cop, The Gilded Age, and A Complete Unknown, among other series and films.—
Stephanie Sengwe,
People.com,
21 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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After the second lethargic performance in the Americans’ loss to Canada in the third-place match, the response of former U.S. internationals on set like Clint Dempsey and Maurice Edu were as newsworthy as the results themselves.—
Ian Nicholas Quillen,
Forbes.com,
27 Mar. 2025
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After a lethargic start that saw TCU trail 14-5, the Horned Frogs battled back and tied the game at 35-35 at halftime behind two 3-pointers and 13 first-half points by Noah Reynolds.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
5 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The nighttime strike on somnolent Russians might not have been possible just a few months ago.—
David Axe,
Forbes.com,
28 Mar. 2025
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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
Cite this Entry
“Sleepy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sleepy. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
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