What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
somnolence
Example
The medication made me feel somnolent all day. [somnolence: noun]
Example
She struggled with somnolence during the long lecture. [somnolence: noun]
torpor
Example
The heat put him into a state of torpor, and he couldn't focus on his work. [torpor: noun]
Example
The company's torpor led to a decline in productivity. [torpor: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Somnolence and torpor are both relatively uncommon words in everyday language. However, somnolence is slightly more common than torpor in medical or scientific contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between somnolence and torpor?
Both somnolence and torpor are formal words that are typically used in medical or scientific contexts. They are not commonly used in informal or casual conversation.