1
: into a state of sleep
2
: into the sleep of death
3
: into a state of inactivity, sluggishness, or indifference
Synonyms
Examples of asleep in a Sentence
Adjective
“Are you asleep?” “No, I'm awake.”
He tries to clean up the house while the kids are asleep.
The cats are asleep on the floor.
She was still asleep at noon.
Recent Examples on the Web
Lindsay Curtis, Verywell Health, 9 Jan. 2025
New findings published in the American Journal of Industrial Medicine state that 1 in 7 adults have difficulty falling asleep, while 1 in 6 adults have trouble staying asleep.
—Monica Cull, Discover Magazine, 8 Jan. 2025
Lindsey Bever, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Jan. 2024
Sleep problems: Both depression and migraine cause insomnia—difficulty falling or staying asleep—and changes in sleep patterns.
—Mark Gurarie, Verywell Health, 14 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for asleep 
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Adjective
Its calming properties can help your body wind down and calm your mind, making falling and staying asleep easier.
—Lindsay Curtis, Verywell Health, 9 Jan. 2025
New findings published in the American Journal of Industrial Medicine state that 1 in 7 adults have difficulty falling asleep, while 1 in 6 adults have trouble staying asleep.
—Monica Cull, Discover Magazine, 8 Jan. 2025
Adverb
Also, once the alcohol wears off, there can be a rebound effect, causing some people to wake up early and have trouble falling back asleep, White said.
—Lindsey Bever, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Jan. 2024
Sleep problems: Both depression and migraine cause insomnia—difficulty falling or staying asleep—and changes in sleep patterns.
—Mark Gurarie, Verywell Health, 14 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for asleep
Dictionary Entries Near asleep
Cite this Entry
“Asleep.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/asleep. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.
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