1
as in sleeping
being in a state of suspended consciousness
was sound asleep when the earthquake struck
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in numb
lacking in sensation or feeling
after sitting cross-legged all afternoon, I arose only to discover that my right foot was asleep
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in fallen
no longer living
let us pray for those who are now asleep
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 asleep
In one incident, his attorney said, Egyptian forces with machine guns stormed into an apartment where Soliman was asleep with his wife and young child.
—
Hannah Allam, ProPublica, 10 Sep. 2025
Outside what is today a parking garage, a group of Union soldiers — unarmed and asleep in tents — were trampled by horses and murdered by Quantrill’s raiders.
—Quentin Corpuel, Kansas City Star, 6 Sep. 2025
But Baoshu was asleep in the backseat and Meiyun was behind the wheel.
—Adam Solomons, IndieWire, 5 Sep. 2025
When Belgrave settled in at the apartment, two visitors arrived while Jordan was asleep.
—Duante Beddingfield, Freep.com, 5 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for asleep
Hannah Allam, ProPublica, 10 Sep. 2025
Outside what is today a parking garage, a group of Union soldiers — unarmed and asleep in tents — were trampled by horses and murdered by Quantrill’s raiders.
—Quentin Corpuel, Kansas City Star, 6 Sep. 2025
But Baoshu was asleep in the backseat and Meiyun was behind the wheel.
—Adam Solomons, IndieWire, 5 Sep. 2025
When Belgrave settled in at the apartment, two visitors arrived while Jordan was asleep.
—Duante Beddingfield, Freep.com, 5 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for asleep
Recent Examples of Synonyms for asleep
Adjective
-
Having weathered so many punches heretofore, the viewer is more likely to be numb than moved.—
Derek Robertson,
The Washington Examiner,
5 Sep. 2025
-
During Covid, the world felt numb and dystopian.—
Kim Gordon,
Rolling Stone,
3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
That’s what the lesson here is for me, to treat others with respect and kindness, to honor the wishes of the fallen, and to have this dream of a better future.—
Leia Mendoza,
Variety,
13 Sep. 2025
-
Members of the New York Yankees were given permission by MLB to wear FDNY and NYPD hats tonight, honoring the fallen first responders of 9/11.—
Aaliyan Mohammed,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
During the resting phase, hair stops growing and will shed, or fall out.—
Jessica Swirble,
Verywell Health,
10 July 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
-
There were flies in the kitchen and dead bugs in a utility sink.—
Eleanor Nash,
Kansas City Star,
14 Sep. 2025
-
Fine dead fuels throughout the fire area hit moistures of extinction while the heavy dead and down continued to smolder.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
14 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Often when faced with a trauma, a redwood will swell a bank of dormant buds and woody tissue to create burls.—
Greg Sullivan,
AFAR Media,
15 Sep. 2025
-
Note that plants go dormant in areas that experience hard freezes.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
15 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Researchers from the Center for Whale Research, SeaDoc Society and San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance confirmed the female calf was deceased, with its umbilical cord still attached when spotted in Rosario Strait near the San Juan Islands.—
Adeola Adeosun,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Sep. 2025
-
Prosecutors had tried pointing to two cases – the 1994 shooting of a van full of Hasidic yeshiva students on the Brooklyn Bridge, and the 1997 shooting from the observation deck of the Empire State Building – as terroristic acts that ended with just one deceased victim.—
Dakin Andone,
CNN Money,
16 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Remarks from Kirk’s widow were well received on the Right, with little controversy as to her interpretation of her late husband’s wishes.—
Robert Schmad,
The Washington Examiner,
18 Sep. 2025
-
Their latest attempt, through a kangaroo immigration court, exposes their true colors once again.—
Robert Alexander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Asleep.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/asleep. Accessed 20 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share