1
as in sleepy
slow to move or act
a torpid sloth that refused to budge off its tree branch
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in numb
lacking in sensation or feeling
my tongue and throat remained torpid for a time following the endoscopy
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 torpid
This lowers the body temperature so much that a torpid hummingbird maintains a hypothermic threshold that nears death.
—
Janaya Wecker, Good Housekeeping, 10 Aug. 2022
Inside, though, Ingrid is in a state of torpid discontent, unhappy with her circumstances but unsure of how to change them.
—Sarah Chihaya, The New York Review of Books, 25 May 2022
The water was so torpid that a thick layer of dust had settled onto it, giving it a cheerless brown tinge.
—Washington Post, 9 Mar. 2022
The ongoing slog has come to symbolize the dilemma multinationals face when confronting Germany’s notoriously torpid bureaucracy.
—Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 28 Feb. 2022
See All Example Sentences for torpid
Janaya Wecker, Good Housekeeping, 10 Aug. 2022
Inside, though, Ingrid is in a state of torpid discontent, unhappy with her circumstances but unsure of how to change them.
—Sarah Chihaya, The New York Review of Books, 25 May 2022
The water was so torpid that a thick layer of dust had settled onto it, giving it a cheerless brown tinge.
—Washington Post, 9 Mar. 2022
The ongoing slog has come to symbolize the dilemma multinationals face when confronting Germany’s notoriously torpid bureaucracy.
—Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 28 Feb. 2022
See All Example Sentences for torpid
Recent Examples of Synonyms for torpid
Adjective
-
Gilroy, which is usually a sleepy town, comes alive during the festival, as locals are joined by travelers from across California and the country.—
Chelsee Lowe,
Travel + Leisure,
13 June 2025
-
Quintessential sleepy Old Florida, towns here are oak-shaded and feature locally mom-and-pop diners and restaurants.—
Kelsey Glennon,
Southern Living,
8 June 2025
Adjective
-
The passenger blacked out, and woke up confused, with his hands numb.—
Tyler Foggatt,
New Yorker,
24 May 2025
-
Dawn Hughes says substances can 'numb' abuse after Cassie 'freak offs' testimony Victims of abuse using substances while facing violence is one common coping mechanism, Hughes told the court on May 21.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
23 May 2025
Adjective
-
There are a few family members who only wear olive, mustard, khaki, black and other dull colors; clunky, unattractive shoes; and few accessories.—
Judith Martin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
13 June 2025
-
Age Defense Retinol Complex 0.5 is no exception, which shines with its abilities to reduce the look of fine lines, hyperpigmentation, and overall dull skin.—
Sarah Han,
Allure,
12 June 2025
Adjective
-
The wrap will return to McDonald’s menus on July 10 as the company struggles to turnaround a sluggish start to the year.—
Ramishah Maruf,
CNN Money,
3 June 2025
-
Turnout seemed sluggish and delays appeared the norm Sunday at several polling sites in the capital.—
Patrick J. McDonnell,
Los Angeles Times,
2 June 2025
Adjective
-
Infant Lili — who seemed to be asleep! — kept cozy in a striped hat as Meghan held her daughter in her arms.—
Janine Henni,
People.com,
4 June 2025
-
In addition to the Washington, D.C., and Boulder attacks, a 38-year-old man was arrested in April and charged with firebombing the Pennsylvania governor's residence in Harrisburg, while Gov. Josh Shapiro, who is Jewish, and his family were asleep inside, officials said.—
Bill Hutchinson,
ABC News,
3 June 2025
Adjective
-
The toddler appears to be lethargic while in hospital.—
Lucy Notarantonio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 May 2025
-
After Game 1’s lethargic start by Florida, the Panthers opened perfectly Wednesday: With jets in the skates, with a vintage-good Bobrovsky at the net, with a continued big penalty-kill, and with a 1-0 lead mid-period on Barkov’s wrist shot on a power play.—
Greg Cote,
Miami Herald,
8 May 2025
Adjective
-
But just because a stock has been quiescent for a while is no reason to disdain it.—
John Dorfman,
Forbes.com,
19 May 2025
-
In the early 2000s, the U.S. invasion of Iraq united Iraqi Kurds in a quest to preserve their autonomy, and the rivalry in greater Kurdistan eclipsed the quiescent Kurdish rivalry within Iraq.—
Behnam Ben Taleblu,
Foreign Affairs,
8 Nov. 2017
Cite this Entry
“Torpid.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/torpid. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share