soporific

[ sop-uh-rif-ik, soh-puh- ]

adjective

1. causing or tending to cause sleep.
2. pertaining to or characterized by sleep or sleepiness; sleepy; drowsy.

noun

1. something that causes sleep, as a medicine or drug.

soporific

/ ˌsɒpəˈrɪfɪk /

adjective

1. inducing sleep
2. drowsy; sleepy

noun

1. a drug or other agent that induces sleep

Derived Forms

• ˌsopoˈrifically, adverb

Other Words From

• sopo·rifi·cal·ly adverb
• anti·sopo·rific adjective noun
• nonsop·or·ific adjective noun
• unsop·o·rific adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of soporific¹

1655–65; < Latin sopor sopor + -i- + -fic; compare French soporifique

Example Sentences

He talked about it in his soporific acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention:

From Salon

The Briton's efforts enlivened the final laps of what had been a largely soporific race, in which the only position change in the top five was Piastri moving past the second Ferrari of Carlos Sainz with an earlier pit stop, after challenging the Spaniard closely throughout the first stint.

From BBC

Musty retreads of Ibsen and Chekhov, besides being counter to the maverick spirit of their play, can be soporific endurance tests.

From Los Angeles Times

It’s so effective a soporific that most nights I struggle to read for more than 10 minutes, which is both satisfying and maddening.

From New York Times

The smell of incense — a combination of frankincense and myrrh — leached from every corner of the space, creating a somewhat soporific effect.

From Salon