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
By now, Geneva, a usually sleepy city during the winter, was in fully emergency mode.
—
Isabelle Mayault, The Dial, 13 Feb. 2025
But this sleepy city tucked away on the west coast of the island of Hokkaido has become the latest flashpoint in Japan’s ongoing battle against overtourism.
—Chris Lau, CNN, 2 Feb. 2025
Unlike other beach towns in Texas, Matagorda Bay is sleepy.
—Amanda Ogle, Travel + Leisure, 8 Feb. 2025
Penrod, 85, spent much of his life transforming Miami Beach through his ownership of bars and restaurants, helping change the city from a once sleepy retirement community into a resort destination.
—Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 7 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sleepy
Isabelle Mayault, The Dial, 13 Feb. 2025
But this sleepy city tucked away on the west coast of the island of Hokkaido has become the latest flashpoint in Japan’s ongoing battle against overtourism.
—Chris Lau, CNN, 2 Feb. 2025
Unlike other beach towns in Texas, Matagorda Bay is sleepy.
—Amanda Ogle, Travel + Leisure, 8 Feb. 2025
Penrod, 85, spent much of his life transforming Miami Beach through his ownership of bars and restaurants, helping change the city from a once sleepy retirement community into a resort destination.
—Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 7 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sleepy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sleepy
Adjective
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The fight was very dull and Ankalaev most held his way to the victory.—
Brian Mazique,
Forbes,
8 Mar. 2025
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Without their alternate selves to tug at them, these characters would be dull, dull, dull.—
Katy Waldman,
The New Yorker,
6 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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On the record, audiophiles can hear celestial and gentle percussion, thumping bass, hypnotic synths, Gray’s own vocals, a buildup that crescendos into a drop that sparks pure elation, symphonic sounds and more.—
Lisa Kocay,
Forbes,
28 Feb. 2025
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The somber drama has a cumulative spell, intensified by its hypnotic visual command and an atmospheric principal setting on Germany’s Hallig Islands.—
David Rooney,
The Hollywood Reporter,
25 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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The 2024-25 Bruins are slow, short on skill, inconsistent on defense and diminished in net.—
Fluto Shinzawa,
The Athletic,
8 Mar. 2025
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In the men’s draw, Daniil Medvedev, the Russian powerhouse, has been crushing it on slow courts.—
David Hochman,
Forbes,
7 Mar. 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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There is also a great bar hidden along the hotel’s lazy river pool, which is a big hit with kids, but adults will love the bar.—
Larry Olmsted,
Forbes,
27 Feb. 2025
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Many people assume that kids in Passenger Mode are lazy.—
Jenny Anderson,
The Atlantic,
26 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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However, this creates a complex trade-off, as driver-facing cameras are also an important safety technology that can help prevent accidents by monitoring unsafe behaviors like cell phone use, inattention to traffic conditions, or drowsy driving.—
Aliza Knox,
Forbes,
28 Feb. 2025
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State patrol data shows drowsy lane-violation crashes jumped another 43.5% between 2023 and 2024.—
Lauren Penington,
The Denver Post,
13 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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The Huskies got out to a lethargic start and struggled for more than four minutes to get a shot to fall.—
Emily Adams,
Hartford Courant,
28 Feb. 2025
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There is one statistic which neatly encapsulates this lethargic performance.—
Jay Harris,
The Athletic,
7 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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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
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In it, bands play a quieter part of the song, or start softly, setting a somnolent mood before blowing it apart with a sudden shift in volume and dynamics, with little more warning than some transitional guitar feedback.—
Aaron Gilbreath,
SPIN,
31 Dec. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Sleepy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sleepy. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
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