insomnia
noun
in·som·nia in-ˈsäm-nē-ə 
: prolonged and usually abnormal inability to get enough sleep especially due to trouble falling asleep or staying asleep
chronic insomnia
Insomnia is a patient-reported problem characterized by difficulty falling asleep or difficulty maintaining sleep; ie, frequent awakenings, difficulty returning to sleep after awakenings, or awakening too early with inability to return to sleep.
Daniel J. Buysse
Daniel J. Buysse
Synonyms
- sleeplessness
- wakefulness
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
has suffered from insomnia virtually his entire life
Recent Examples on the Web My wife was suffering from two decades of severe insomnia. Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 7 Aug. 2022 Finally, after a long stretch of insomnia, my physician convinced me to see a therapist. Joe Yelverton, Outside Online, 5 Feb. 2022 Some research suggests that sipping tart cherry juice can aid in sleep, especially for people who have insomnia. Health.com, 28 Oct. 2021 Resorts, destination spas and wellness practitioners are offering new retreats and services to help women in midlife navigate menopause and cope with its symptoms, which include hot flashes, insomnia and mood issues. Andrea Petersen, WSJ, 4 Sep. 2022 Throughout the six-week trial, prosecutors portrayed Murray as a reckless doctor who treated Jackson's insomnia with a nightly drip of propofol, an unpredictable and potentially fatal anesthetic. Cara Lynn Shultz, Peoplemag, 29 Aug. 2022 Both of them worked in medicine and my mom was a therapist and my dad studied insomnia. Michael Saponara, Billboard, 11 Aug. 2022 And sometimes the medications used to treat depression or anxiety can have side effects such as insomnia or blocking deeper stages of sleep, Dasgupta said. Kristen Rogers, CNN, 10 Aug. 2022 Cultures from as far back as 2,500 years ago used lavender to combat infestations, infections, insomnia and strong odors, among other ills. Andrea Sachs, Washington Post, 22 July 2022 See More
Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 7 Aug. 2022 Finally, after a long stretch of insomnia, my physician convinced me to see a therapist. Joe Yelverton, Outside Online, 5 Feb. 2022 Some research suggests that sipping tart cherry juice can aid in sleep, especially for people who have insomnia. Health.com, 28 Oct. 2021 Resorts, destination spas and wellness practitioners are offering new retreats and services to help women in midlife navigate menopause and cope with its symptoms, which include hot flashes, insomnia and mood issues. Andrea Petersen, WSJ, 4 Sep. 2022 Throughout the six-week trial, prosecutors portrayed Murray as a reckless doctor who treated Jackson's insomnia with a nightly drip of propofol, an unpredictable and potentially fatal anesthetic. Cara Lynn Shultz, Peoplemag, 29 Aug. 2022 Both of them worked in medicine and my mom was a therapist and my dad studied insomnia. Michael Saponara, Billboard, 11 Aug. 2022 And sometimes the medications used to treat depression or anxiety can have side effects such as insomnia or blocking deeper stages of sleep, Dasgupta said. Kristen Rogers, CNN, 10 Aug. 2022 Cultures from as far back as 2,500 years ago used lavender to combat infestations, infections, insomnia and strong odors, among other ills. Andrea Sachs, Washington Post, 22 July 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Latin, from insomnis sleepless, from in- + somnus sleep — more at somnolent
First Known Use
1739, in the meaning defined above
Kids Definition
insomnia
noun
in·som·nia in-ˈsäm-nē-ə
: difficulty in sleeping
Medical Definition
insomnia
noun
in·som·nia in-ˈsäm-nē-ə
: prolonged and usually abnormal inability to obtain adequate sleep especially due to difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
called also agrypnia
insomnia
noun
as in sleeplessness
the inability to obtain adequate sleep has suffered from insomnia virtually his entire life Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- sleeplessness
- restlessness
- wakefulness
- alertness
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- sleepiness
- drowsiness
- narcolepsy