soporific

USAGE SUMMARY

'soporific' is a correct and usable word in written English.
It can be used to refer to something that has a sleep-inducing quality or that has a tranquilizing effect. Example sentence: After eating a large meal, the soporific effects of the wine began to set in.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

General

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The atmosphere on sun-baked Court Philippe Chatrier was soporific.

The Guardian - Sport

Yet, unlike their soporific display against West Indies on Tuesday, they at least ran their opponents relatively close this time, reaching 158 for six off their 20 overs, although suffering, their seventh defeat in eight T20 matches Jos Buttler, with 30 runs from 18 balls, and Moeen Ali, who top-scored with 46 after being dropped on 16, offered signs of encouragement with the bat.

The Guardian - Sport

Related: Republic of Ireland 0-0 England | International friendly match report The visitors produced only three shots on target, the first just before the hour mark, in a soporific display which prompted ITV, which had shown the countries' first meeting in Dublin for 20 years, to apologise on its official Twitter feed for the lack of quality being served up.

The Guardian - Sport

The side to be on is Frigate Bay South, where the waves merely lap in the soporific heat and the dark sand can be so hot you can barely walk barefoot.

The Guardian - Travel

THE third and final debate, which took place at Hofstra University, New York on October 15th, was a firecracker of a show, as riveting as the two previous meetings were soporific.

The Economist

Mr Obama, in stark contrast, came off listless, soporific and completely outgunned.

The Economist

Today's accountants are no longer soporific.

The Economist

IF COUNTING sheep doesn't work, insomniacs might instead try counting the number of times Alistair Darling, the formidably soporific chancellor of the exchequer, used the word "stability" in his budget speech on March 12th.

The Economist

And, in one of the soporific election campaign's rare moments of drama, Ms Storer berated Mr Blair about her partner's hospital treatment.Labour was elected in 1997 on a melodramatic promise to "save" the NHS.

The Economist

It can be far easier to propose yet another "Hamlet" or "Uncle Vanya" with their long pedigree of performances ranging from the spectacular to the soporific, than to mount a play bearing the singular imprint of a memorable success.

The Economist

The most dramatic options, notably breaking up big firms, have been rejected.Solomonic or soporific?The commission's first proposal is that the cuddly parts of banks their high-street operations and the payments systems they run, which account for between 15% and 45% of British banks' overall balance-sheet should balance-sheet shouldfenced, with their own belance-sheets and legal structures.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a situation, use "soporific" to add emphasis to the lethargic or dull quality of a subject, such as "the soporific atmosphere of the meeting".

Common error

Avoid using "soporific" when you simply mean 'relaxing' or 'calm.' "Soporific" carries a stronger implication of inducing sleep or boredom, which might not be your intended meaning. Use "calming" or "relaxing" instead.

Linguistic Context

The word "soporific" functions primarily as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe something that induces sleep or drowsiness. According to Ludwig, it can also describe something boring or dull, extending its usage beyond merely physical effects.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

General

20%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Science

4%

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "soporific" is a versatile adjective, primarily used to describe something that induces sleep or drowsiness, but also applicable to anything exceedingly boring or dull. As affirmed by Ludwig, it's grammatically sound and frequently found in various writing contexts. Its usage ranges from describing the effects of medication to the atmosphere of a tedious meeting. While "soporific" enjoys widespread use in news media, general articles, and even encyclopedias, ensure your chosen synonym, such as "sleep-inducing" or "tedious", accurately reflects the intended meaning. The word "soporific" usage in well-regarded publications indicates its acceptance in formal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sleep-inducing

Focuses specifically on the ability to cause sleep.

drowsiness-inducing

Highlights the feeling of drowsiness rather than outright sleep.

somnolent

Similar in meaning, but may sound more formal or literary.

lethargic

Emphasizes a lack of energy and enthusiasm.

tedious

Focuses on the quality of being boring and monotonous.

monotonous

Highlights the repetitive and unvarying nature that can cause boredom.

wearying

Emphasizes the draining effect on one's energy.

enervating

Highlights a reduction of vitality.

numbing

Suggests a loss of sensation and interest.

hypnotic

Implies a trance-like or mesmerizing quality.

FAQs

How to use "soporific" in a sentence?

You can use "soporific" to describe something that induces sleep or boredom. For example, "The professor's lecture was so "soporific" that half the class was asleep."

What can I say instead of "soporific"?

You can use alternatives like "sleep-inducing", "drowsiness-inducing", or "tedious" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "soporific effect" or "soporific affect"?

"Soporific effect" is correct. "Effect" refers to a result or consequence, while "affect" is usually a verb meaning to influence something.

What's the difference between "soporific" and "sedative"?

"Soporific" generally describes something that induces sleep or boredom, while "sedative" specifically refers to a drug or agent that calms or reduces anxiety, often leading to sleep.