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Synonyms

somnolent

American  
[som-nuh-luhnt] / ˈsɒm nə lənt /

adjective

  1. sleepy; drowsy.

    Synonyms:
    slumberous
  2. tending to cause sleep.

    Synonyms:
    soporific, somniferous

somnolent British  
/ ˈsɒmnələnt /

adjective

  1. drowsy; sleepy

  2. causing drowsiness

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • hypersomnolence noun
  • hypersomnolent adjective
  • hypersomnolently adverb
  • semisomnolence noun
  • semisomnolent adjective
  • semisomnolently adverb
  • somnolence noun
  • somnolency noun
  • somnolently adverb
  • unsomnolent adjective
  • unsomnolently adverb

Etymology

Origin of somnolent

1425–75; late Middle English sompnolent < Old French < Latin somnolentus, derivative of somnus sleep; -ulent

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Ham turned a disjointed team into something tough and competitive and changed the entire somnolent Lakers culture.

From Los Angeles Times

Amid skepticism that he couldn’t coach at the higher level, Jackson tore the program down to the studs, brought in 86 new players, and blanketed the somnolent program with passion and positivity.

From Los Angeles Times

Overall, the recording slides between hypnotic and somnolent.

From New York Times

Set against the backdrop of a somnolent downtown, says Ms. Respress, the McPherson Square encampment feeds the impression that homelessness is exploding in D.C.

From Washington Post

Yet even with past experience as a guide, local officials still seem remarkably somnolent.

From Washington Post