as in drowsiness
the quality or state of desiring or needing sleep
the truck driver keeps a thermos of coffee with him to stave off sleepiness
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Recent Examples of sleepiness
Some over‑the‑counter products that can pose risks include certain antihistamines, commonly found in allergy and cold remedies, nighttime sleep aids, motion sickness medications, and cough syrups, which can induce sleepiness or slow down cognitive function.
—
Amanda Greenwood, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2026
Other possibilities include another severe sleep disorder called idiosyncratic hypersomnia, as well as other conditions where people experience sleepiness or executive function problems during the day and poor sleep at night, Lilly CEO Dave Ricks said in an interview with CNBC.
—Angelica Peebles, CNBC, 31 Mar. 2026
What’s more, by helping to maintain neutral cervical positioning, posture-supporting pillows may help improve sleep comfort and reduce waking symptoms such as tension headaches and daytime sleepiness, as Tara Phaff, DPT explains.
—Kristine Thomason, Vogue, 25 Mar. 2026
Symptoms include decreased urination, dry mouth and throat, feeling dizzy when standing up, crying with few or no tears, and unusual sleepiness or fussiness.
—Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 10 Mar. 2026
Boost Energy and Alertness Taking a walk in the morning has been associated with lower daytime sleepiness and improved alertness during the day.
—Heather Jones, Verywell Health, 20 Feb. 2026
At higher doses, kratom reduces anxiety and causes sleepiness, the way strong pain drugs like opioids (heroin or fentanyl) do.
—Gary Kirkilas Ii, Boston Herald, 1 Feb. 2026
Brighter recent light was also linked to lower sleepiness at any time of day, but this was strongest in the participants with the brightest light exposure during the day and who also had earlier bedtimes.
—New Atlas, 17 Jan. 2026
Your balloon fills up with sleepiness throughout the day.
—Andee Tagle, NPR, 15 Jan. 2026
Amanda Greenwood, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2026
Other possibilities include another severe sleep disorder called idiosyncratic hypersomnia, as well as other conditions where people experience sleepiness or executive function problems during the day and poor sleep at night, Lilly CEO Dave Ricks said in an interview with CNBC.
—Angelica Peebles, CNBC, 31 Mar. 2026
What’s more, by helping to maintain neutral cervical positioning, posture-supporting pillows may help improve sleep comfort and reduce waking symptoms such as tension headaches and daytime sleepiness, as Tara Phaff, DPT explains.
—Kristine Thomason, Vogue, 25 Mar. 2026
Symptoms include decreased urination, dry mouth and throat, feeling dizzy when standing up, crying with few or no tears, and unusual sleepiness or fussiness.
—Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 10 Mar. 2026
Boost Energy and Alertness Taking a walk in the morning has been associated with lower daytime sleepiness and improved alertness during the day.
—Heather Jones, Verywell Health, 20 Feb. 2026
At higher doses, kratom reduces anxiety and causes sleepiness, the way strong pain drugs like opioids (heroin or fentanyl) do.
—Gary Kirkilas Ii, Boston Herald, 1 Feb. 2026
Brighter recent light was also linked to lower sleepiness at any time of day, but this was strongest in the participants with the brightest light exposure during the day and who also had earlier bedtimes.
—New Atlas, 17 Jan. 2026
Your balloon fills up with sleepiness throughout the day.
—Andee Tagle, NPR, 15 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sleepiness
Noun
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At higher doses, melatonin can also cause morning grogginess and daytime drowsiness, Jafari said.—
Mira Miller,
Verywell Health,
27 Apr. 2026
-
The practical effect is a calmer, less reactive brain at bedtime, without any drowsiness.—
Allison Palmer,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
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When Elias Manolis started experiencing extreme fatigue early last year, his parents were alarmed, but not surprised.—
Kerry Breen,
CBS News,
25 Apr. 2026
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Pain, fatigue, medication schedules, and appointments start to shape everything.—
Ana Jarzin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Construction on a controversial project to put tiny sleeping cabins for homeless individuals in Lemon Grove is schedued to begin Monday.—
Hannah Elsmore,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
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Hales says that the majority of sleepers prefer a medium to medium-firm mattress, but your sleeping position is what tips the scale.—
Alora Bopray,
USA Today,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
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From there, the story builds on the uncertainty, rocking the somnolence of a small town in the province of Badajoz, and forcing a community to choose between disbelief and the need to prove what can’t be seen.—
Emiliano De Pablos,
Variety,
9 Feb. 2026
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The people went to the emergency department with tachycardia, confusion, anxiety or somnolence, and nausea after eating gummy candies labeled as containing Amanita muscaria mushrooms.—
Beth Mole,
Ars Technica,
19 July 2024
Cite this Entry
“Sleepiness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sleepiness. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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