Synonyms for

Asleep

Verb / ʌˈsli:p / Another word for asleep — explore alternatives below. For syllable breakdowns and pronunciation, see this word on Syllablesworld.

Definition

in a state of sleep; sleeping

Synonyms & similar words

atpeace gone numb atrest benumbed departed deceased awake slumbering dozing resting napping unconscious snoring drowsing dreaming snoozing comatose hibernating inactive out sleeping slumberous somnolent unawake unconscious

Synonyms by register

Formal

dormant unconscious inactive

Informal

snoozing out cold catching some Zs fast asleep

Literary

slumbering reposing in dreamland

Antonyms

awake alert conscious active vigilant aware wakeful

Common collocations

  • fast asleep
  • sound asleep
  • fall asleep
  • fast asleep
  • half asleep
  • drifted asleep
  • fell asleep

Word family

noun sleep
verb sleep
adverb asleep

Usage note

Asleep is an adjective and is typically used predicatively (e.g., 'The baby is asleep'). It is not usually used attributively before a noun (e.g., 'an asleep baby' is incorrect).

Example sentences

  1. I was so tired that I fell asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow.
  2. My cat is always asleep during the day and active at night.
  3. It's hard to stay awake in class when you're feeling sleepy.
  4. Sometimes it takes me a while to fall asleep at night.
  5. I was sound asleep when the alarm clock went off this morning.

Quotes

  • I have not slept. Between the acting of a dreadful thing and the first motion, all the interim is like a phantasma, or a hideous dream. The genius and the mortal instruments are then in council, and the state of man, like to a little kingdom, suffers then the nature of an insurrection.
  • Sleep is the best meditation.
  • I think sleeping was my problem in school. If school had started at four in the afternoon, I'd be a college graduate today.

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