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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Preview Robert De Niro's Netflix thriller 'Zero Day' is a starry but dull dud: Review Patrick Schwarzenegger is 'White Lotus' Season 3 breakout, and dad Arnold is pumped Donnie Wahlberg is heading to 'Blue Bloods' Boston spinoff Ralph Macchio and William Zabka were 'Karate Kid' rivals.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA TODAY,
25 Feb. 2025
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This portable, rollerball serum can be used twice a day on dull, uneven, and post-blemish skin.—
Iman Balagam,
Vogue,
24 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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There was something about that that really drew me in, something quite hypnotic.—
Ellise Shafer,
Variety,
14 Feb. 2025
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The younger Grohl eased into a hypnotic version of the now classic tune with an assurance that belied her age.—
Tom Tapp,
Deadline,
31 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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The cut is also gaining ground on the Adult Contemporary chart, only at a much slower pace, which is not unusual for that list.—
Hugh McIntyre,
Forbes,
23 Feb. 2025
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Morgan Stanley also highlighted risks such as weaker consumption and a slower pace of enterprise digitalization.—
Evelyn Cheng,
CNBC,
23 Feb. 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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State patrol data shows drowsy lane-violation crashes jumped another 43.5% between 2023 and 2024.—
Lauren Penington,
The Denver Post,
13 Jan. 2025
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Drivers are also advised to avoid drowsy driving, as operating a vehicle with insufficient sleep can be as dangerous as driving under the influence of alcohol.—
Hannah Parry,
Newsweek,
23 Dec. 2024
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 4 Mar. 2025.
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