soporific

American  

[sop-uh-rif-ik, soh-puh-] / ˌsɒp əˈrɪf ɪk, ˌsoʊ pə- /

adjective

1. causing or tending to cause sleep.

2. pertaining to or characterized by sleep or sleepiness; sleepy; drowsy.

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noun

1. something that causes sleep, as a medicine or drug.

soporific British  

/ ˌsɒpəˈrɪfɪk /

adjective

1. inducing sleep

2. drowsy; sleepy

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noun

1. a drug or other agent that induces sleep

Other Word Forms

• antisoporific adjective
• nonsoporific adjective
• soporifically adverb
• unsoporific adjective

Etymology

Origin of soporific

1655–65; < Latin sopor sopor + -i- + -fic; compare French soporifique

Example Sentences

The reductive strategy so nearly secured successive World Cup finals - but often proved soporific for supporters.

From BBC • Feb. 6, 2026

So what would a survivor of a crime portrayed on “Forensic Files” think about his or her own personal tragedy being used as a soporific?

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 11, 2025

Shimizu is an exploratory jazz musician who has of late gained popularity for his television scores and inoffensively ambient music that employs soporific electronics.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 10, 2025

Walter is a local TV producer in need of something to replace a hilariously soporific embroidery show called “A Stitch in Time.”

From Salon • Nov. 3, 2023

His eyes did not leave the patrons face while his velvet voice rose passionately above the soporific air of the siesta.

From "The House of the Spirits: A Novel" by Isabel Allende