1
as in sleepy
desiring or needing sleep
trying to teach somnolent students on a very hot day
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in hypnotic
tending to cause sleep
the somnolent hum of insects in the grass
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 somnolent
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
At Edgewood Tahoe, guest-room TVs show scenic views of Lake Tahoe behind a somnolent custom soundtrack by Sleepy Podcast host Otis Gray reading poetry by Robert Frost.
—Jon Marcus, BostonGlobe.com, 15 June 2023
The movie is almost entirely a flashback, narrated from the perspective of one of its main characters, Saul Manfred (Barney Phillips), a doctor from the North who’s a recent arrival in the cozy but somnolent seaside town of Braddock, North Carolina, where the action is set.
—Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 9 Aug. 2022
See All Example Sentences for somnolent
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
At Edgewood Tahoe, guest-room TVs show scenic views of Lake Tahoe behind a somnolent custom soundtrack by Sleepy Podcast host Otis Gray reading poetry by Robert Frost.
—Jon Marcus, BostonGlobe.com, 15 June 2023
The movie is almost entirely a flashback, narrated from the perspective of one of its main characters, Saul Manfred (Barney Phillips), a doctor from the North who’s a recent arrival in the cozy but somnolent seaside town of Braddock, North Carolina, where the action is set.
—Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 9 Aug. 2022
See All Example Sentences for somnolent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for somnolent
Adjective
-
It is situated next to a sleepy mobile home park, some single-family home neighborhoods and the park.—
Phillip Molnar,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
2 Apr. 2025
-
This delicious sleep aid comes in five different flavors: mint chocolate, hot cocoa, cinnamon chai, sleepy berry and rose.—
Bianca Salonga,
Forbes.com,
1 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
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
-
An unusual — and hypnotic — event is taking place at a lake in Northern California.—
Toria Sheffield,
People.com,
29 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
Cite this Entry
“Somnolent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/somnolent. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share