1
as in sleepy
slow to move or act
a torpid sloth that refused to budge off its tree branch
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in numb
lacking in sensation or feeling
my tongue and throat remained torpid for a time following the endoscopy
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of torpid
Even since Thailand’s 2014 coup d’etat that brought Prayuth to power, reform of the police has topped the agenda, yet progress has been torpid.
—
Charlie Campbell, Time, 6 Oct. 2022
The intensity of that airlift — one of the largest in history — stands in sharp contrast to the torpid pace of evacuations after the withdrawal.
—Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2022
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
See All Example Sentences for torpid
Charlie Campbell, Time, 6 Oct. 2022
The intensity of that airlift — one of the largest in history — stands in sharp contrast to the torpid pace of evacuations after the withdrawal.
—Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2022
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
See All Example Sentences for torpid
Recent Examples of Synonyms for torpid
Adjective
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The neighborhood/area Located in the sleepy St James parish in the hills, the lively west coast towns of the island are a mere 10-minute drive, boasting beaches, bars, restaurants, shops, and grocery stores.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 Apr. 2026
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Flower Beds, Perennials, and Ornamentals Herbaceous perennials are likely still pretty sleepy, but fat buds, flowers, and even the start of leaves unfurling are all happening on woodier ornamentals.—
Andy Wilcox,
Better Homes & Gardens,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The roof is a manual Sky Slider design that feels a lot more on-brand than a numb push-button.—
Caleb Jacobs,
The Drive,
26 Mar. 2026
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Over time, your extremities go numb, which indicates the beginning of frostbite.—
Brad Stulberg,
Outside,
26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Hochheiser, who could not return to his condo due to a mold infestation, said one dull day melted into another at Villa Rosa III.—
Carol Marbin Miller,
Miami Herald,
2 Apr. 2026
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Found Sound is a story about two kids, Felix and Marigold, and a seemingly dull summer vacation that’s upended when the kids find an old wooden box that says OPEN ME.—
Caroline Carlson,
Literary Hub,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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When Bill’s older brother Henry (Barry Ward) finds the pianist in numbed solitude in his dingy apartment, Bill has canceled all his upcoming gigs, saying Scotty cannot be replaced.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
13 Feb. 2026
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Ingber also notes the numbed response to these strikes from much of the American public, something that, in part, may come from the routine nature of these drone strikes as something that the nation has become desensitized to dropping bombs on enemies.—
Rebecca Schneid,
Time,
21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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While experts say the funds are beginning to make a difference, the sluggish pace of spending in some communities, from the wine country of Grand Traverse County to mid-Michigan's Eaton County, has frustrated some state leaders.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
1 Apr. 2026
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Oklahoma City, which defeated the New York Knicks on Sunday night, looked sluggish against the Eastern Conference-leading Pistons, who were missing four of their five regular starters.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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He was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence in 2017 after being found asleep in a car that had its motor running and was still in a driving lane.—
Pat Saperstein,
Variety,
31 Mar. 2026
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This can have an impact on falling (and staying) asleep, as well as sleep quality.—
Desireé Oostland,
Vogue,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Another great way to work a Texas rig on days where the bass may be more lethargic is a slow drag.—
Derek Horner,
Outdoor Life,
2 Apr. 2026
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Woods wasn’t injured when his SUV flipped, though authorities said Woods’ eyes were bloodshot and described his movements as lethargic during questioning.—
Brian Niemietz,
New York Daily News,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Local Democratic politicians were strangely quiescent, despite a pre–Catahoula Crunch poll showing that nearly 80 percent of New Orleans residents opposed the deployment.—
Daniel Brook,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Mar. 2026
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But the astronomers suspect this kind of bursty young galaxy in the early universe may someday evolve into what's known as a massive quiescent galaxy in the modern-day cosmos.—
Paul Sutter,
Space.com,
21 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Torpid.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/torpid. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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