as in wakeful
not sleeping or able to sleep
an insomniac veteran tormented by his memories of the war
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 insomniac
Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 6 Feb. 2026
Bear: insomniac clown, randomly does seven back flips in a row, eats raw garlic.
—Julian Sancton, HollywoodReporter, 28 Oct. 2025
In between, there’s Bluesky on the bus, Spotify at the gym, Instagram at lunch, YouTube before dinner, X for toothbrushing, Pinterest for the insomniac hours.
—Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2025
Even an insomniac film critic couldn’t see half of the films playing Fantasia 2025 during the three weeks of the festival.
—Scott Phillips, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2025
The four-time Grammy winner dazzled exhibitors with a mini-concert at CinemaCon to jazz them up for the film, which follows a version of himself, an insomniac musician, who encounters a mysterious stranger.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 14 May 2025
There are some insomniac flies who would like a word.
—Elizabeth Rayne, ArsTechnica, 2 May 2025
The Gorge centers on these two lonely insomniac snipers who connect with one another from towers that are 600 meters apart.
—Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Feb. 2025
Every night, inhabitants of the city that never sleeps are kept awake by everything from the sounds of slammed front doors reverberating down hallways to insomniac oboists who could use a few more lessons (ideally during the day).
—Natalie Wexler, The New Yorker, 25 Sep. 2024
Literary Hub, 15 May 2026
And for a generation of insomniacs, nothing embodied the late-night spirit like Adult Swim.
—Eric Vilas-Boas, Vulture, 18 Mar. 2026
Even for seasoned insomniacs, these changes can feel drastic.
—Ellen O’Brien, SELF, 25 Feb. 2026
Early risers and insomniacs alike know an entirely different Kansas City.
—Sofi Zeman
january 8, Kansas City Star, 8 Jan. 2026
Schoolchildren, insomniacs and everyone in between began stumbling onto this little gem and telling their friends about it.
—Duante Beddingfield, Freep.com, 6 Nov. 2025
Here’s a great last-minute Christmas gift for insomniacs, the chronically stressed, new mothers, and anyone with roommates or without curtains.
—Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 8 Oct. 2025
To play an emaciated insomniac in The Machinist, Bale underwent one of the most drastic transformations in Hollywood history, whittling his weight down to just 121 lbs.
—Mike Miller, PEOPLE, 6 Sep. 2025
Europe's most exquisite portrait of an insomniac, as dazzling after such a day in the sun as the moon itself.
—Antonia Quirke, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 May 2024
Adjective
Ergonomic and more inherently cooling than memory foam, the luxury home buy can last you a lifetime — one marked by the kind of sleep that can make any insomniac jealous.
—Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 6 Feb. 2026
Bear: insomniac clown, randomly does seven back flips in a row, eats raw garlic.
—Julian Sancton, HollywoodReporter, 28 Oct. 2025
In between, there’s Bluesky on the bus, Spotify at the gym, Instagram at lunch, YouTube before dinner, X for toothbrushing, Pinterest for the insomniac hours.
—Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2025
Even an insomniac film critic couldn’t see half of the films playing Fantasia 2025 during the three weeks of the festival.
—Scott Phillips, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2025
The four-time Grammy winner dazzled exhibitors with a mini-concert at CinemaCon to jazz them up for the film, which follows a version of himself, an insomniac musician, who encounters a mysterious stranger.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 14 May 2025
There are some insomniac flies who would like a word.
—Elizabeth Rayne, ArsTechnica, 2 May 2025
The Gorge centers on these two lonely insomniac snipers who connect with one another from towers that are 600 meters apart.
—Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Feb. 2025
Every night, inhabitants of the city that never sleeps are kept awake by everything from the sounds of slammed front doors reverberating down hallways to insomniac oboists who could use a few more lessons (ideally during the day).
—Natalie Wexler, The New Yorker, 25 Sep. 2024
Noun
After all, what is the insomniac doing in the middle of the night but going over the past again and again?
—Literary Hub, 15 May 2026
And for a generation of insomniacs, nothing embodied the late-night spirit like Adult Swim.
—Eric Vilas-Boas, Vulture, 18 Mar. 2026
Even for seasoned insomniacs, these changes can feel drastic.
—Ellen O’Brien, SELF, 25 Feb. 2026
Early risers and insomniacs alike know an entirely different Kansas City.
—Sofi Zeman
january 8, Kansas City Star, 8 Jan. 2026
Schoolchildren, insomniacs and everyone in between began stumbling onto this little gem and telling their friends about it.
—Duante Beddingfield, Freep.com, 6 Nov. 2025
Here’s a great last-minute Christmas gift for insomniacs, the chronically stressed, new mothers, and anyone with roommates or without curtains.
—Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 8 Oct. 2025
To play an emaciated insomniac in The Machinist, Bale underwent one of the most drastic transformations in Hollywood history, whittling his weight down to just 121 lbs.
—Mike Miller, PEOPLE, 6 Sep. 2025
Europe's most exquisite portrait of an insomniac, as dazzling after such a day in the sun as the moon itself.
—Antonia Quirke, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 May 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for insomniac
Adjective
-
Tips to Break the Bedtime Screen Habit Dr. Verma, who was not involved in the research, offers the following tips to prevent wakeful effects from smartphones and get better sleep: Avoid screens 30 to 60 minutes before bedtime.—
Emily Kay Votruba,
EverydayHealth.com,
31 Mar. 2025
-
Lauren Goode: Who among us doesn't want to have a nap gently guided by our wakeful rhythm?—
Lauren Goode,
WIRED,
16 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
The unit has dual handles on the massive build plate, as well as a T-clamp that locks the build plate to the riser assembly with a solid and positive snap.—
Michael Lydick,
PC Magazine,
2 May 2026
-
Five riser blocks of seats surround the round stage area.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Ramírez, half-awake, was confused as to why Pevey wanted to speak with him.—
Andy Martinez,
Chicago Tribune,
24 May 2026
-
The caller states that Busch was lying on the bathroom floor and was awake at the time of the call.—
Dianne Gallagher,
CNN Money,
23 May 2026
Adjective
-
This debt burden leads to higher stress and sleepless nights, and directly undermines the focus and efficiency of Americans in their prime working years.—
Mary Moreland,
Fortune,
17 May 2026
-
Here are my leftover thoughts on what should be a difficult slate as Patriots fans prepare for sleepless nights, an early morning and international travel, but zero holiday action.—
Doug Kyed,
Boston Herald,
15 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Insomniac.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/insomniac. Accessed 24 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
