1
as in sleeping
being in a state of suspended consciousness
was sound asleep when the earthquake struck
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in numb
lacking in sensation or feeling
after sitting cross-legged all afternoon, I arose only to discover that my right foot was asleep
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in fallen
no longer living
let us pray for those who are now asleep
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 asleep
All but Kernodle were asleep at the start of the massacre, according to authorities.
—
Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 31 Dec. 2025
There’s one more passenger on board, a man asleep who falls from his seat when Majid abruptly brakes early in the trip.
—Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 30 Dec. 2025
At the start of Cameron's entry, Sigourney Weaver's Ellen Ripley has been asleep in stasis for 57 years since the events of the first movie.
—Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Dec. 2025
Investigators testified at the preliminary hearing that eyewitnesses reported the vehicle sped onto the sidewalk and that Young Bear was asleep when she was struck.
—Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 29 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for asleep
Recent Examples of Synonyms for asleep
Adjective
-
Like, like my legs are going numb.—
-
On my knees, my hands zip-tied behind me, my fingers and feet quickly grew numb.—
Adjective
-
The Uxbridge, Massachusetts police department announced that the wake and funeral for fallen officer Stephen LaPorta will be held next week.—
-
Luckily, fallen snow can act as natural insulation and actually provide some shelter from freezing temperatures.—
Adjective
-
This is a condition where, due to stress or hormonal changes, the body puts the hair follicles into a resting phase.—
-
Taking minoxidil orally can support the hair follicle cycle and trigger anagen (the resting phase) prematurely.—
Adjective
-
Ingber also notes the numbed response to these strikes from much of the American public, something that, in part, may come from the routine nature of these drone strikes as something that the nation has become desensitized to dropping bombs on enemies.—
Adjective
-
The cemetery of good but dead laws is infinite; the main thing is that social forces exist.—
-
These ghosts, which take the form of their dead friends, are mostly just goofy, with the shoddy special effects and glowy auras giving the whole thing a distinctly Haunted Mansion vibe; critically, the threat never feels real, which undermines any tension.—
Adjective
-
As the mercury plummets and back-to-work blues set in for much of humankind in the UK, many other creatures are cosily spending winter in a blissfully dormant state of hibernation.—
-
Cornerbacks Kristian Fulton and Nohl Williams were among the Chiefs’ best players for a second consecutive week as both helped shut down a dormant Raiders pass game.—
Adjective
-
The alleged perpetrator was hit and is deceased.—
-
The victims were Kato Allen Perez, born in 1992, who was previously known to be deceased; Nikko Lee Perez, who was born in 1996; Mika Alena Perez, who was born in 1995; a second Nikko Lee Perez, who was born in 1997; and Kato Krow Perez, born in 2001.—
Adjective
-
Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022 prompted unified Western sanctions, massive military aid, and rhetorical solidarity, but by late 2025, strategic divergences had widened amid battlefield stalemates, economic fatigue, and diplomatic initiatives.—
-
Ahmad Moten was fortunate not to be called for what was clearly a late hit.—
Cite this Entry
“Asleep.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/asleep. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share