drowsiness

noun

Definition of drowsinessnext
as in sleepiness
the quality or state of desiring or needing sleep we tried to fight our drowsiness but fell asleep anyway

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of drowsiness Provincial traffic police said driver fatigue and drowsiness caused the crash. — ABC News, 26 Sep. 2026 Overdosing on the drug can cause extreme drowsiness, confusion, impaired coordination, decreased reflexes, respiratory depression, coma and possible death. — Natasha Holt, FOXNews.com, 5 Sep. 2026 Mild effects, such as drowsiness, headache, insomnia, nausea, and vomiting, are common. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Aug. 2026 But Peasley also lives with Type 1 diabetes and wanted to avoid the potential fogginess and drowsiness that can accompany anesthesia. — Marlee Ginter, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026 Taking multiple products with sedating effects can increase drowsiness or cause interactions. — Ayesha Gulzar, Verywell Health, 14 Aug. 2026 These older medications were also likely to increase cognitive impairment, such as drowsiness, confusion, slowed thinking, or diminished school or work performance, according to the study authors. — Rob Williams, EverydayHealth.com, 30 July 2026 It is also known to cause side effects, including drowsiness, sedation and dizziness. — Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 12 June 2026 The devices detected increases in brain waves linked to relaxation and focus – theta, theta-alpha, alpha and beta-1 brain waves – while measuring decreases in delta and gamma-1 brain waves, which suggest less drowsiness and less mind-wandering. — Jacqueline Howard, CNN Money, 7 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for drowsiness
  1. sleepiness
  2. fatigue
  3. somnolence
  4. sleeping
Noun
  • Other common sleep issues that don’t affect the airways include movement disorders that cause nighttime restlessness or narcolepsy, a neurological disorder that affects the body’s sleep-wake cycles and causes excessive sleepiness.
    — Samantha Agate, Sacbee.com, 24 Sep. 2026
  • In young children, THC intoxication can cause profound sleepiness, confusion, impaired coordination, vomiting and changes in heart rate.
    — Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of sleepiness
Noun
  • The pressure and unpredictability can create widespread employee fatigue.
    — Sam Birchall, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2026
  • And Hawaii is enduring hurricane fatigue after Lala, Lowell and Nolo all swiped by the island chain with heavy rain and strong winds.
    — Chris Dolce, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of fatigue
Noun
  • 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
  • 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
Definition of somnolence
Noun
  • For instance, lowering the thermostat while away from home or while sleeping can reduce energy use, while sealing air leaks around windows and doors and maintaining heating equipment can also help lower consumption.
    — Sarah Agostino, CNBC, 7 Oct. 2026
  • There are plenty of camper vans with convertible sleeping areas, but few offer a starker difference between day and night.
    — Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of sleeping

Browse Nearby Words

drowses (off)
drowsiness
drowsing
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Drowsiness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drowsiness. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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