Definitions

apnea

[ap-nee-uh] / ˈæp ni ə /

NOUN

break

Synonyms

STRONGEST

hiatus intermission interval layoff lull pause recess respite rest suspension time off

STRONG

breakoff breather caesura cutoff downtime halt interlude lacuna letup

WEAK

breathing space coffee break time-out

Antonyms

STRONGEST

continuation persistence

WEAK

binding continuity juncture

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Her requests for coverage have been denied, despite a diagnosis of sleep apnea.

From BBC • Mar. 23, 2026

A medication called sulthiame may help people with obstructive sleep apnea breathe more easily during the night and sleep better overall.

From Science Daily • Mar. 11, 2026

Doctors usually diagnose and treat insomnia and obstructive sleep apnea as separate disorders.

From Science Daily • Mar. 1, 2026

The drug is also approved to help treat moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea in adults with obesity.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 23, 2026

Berkner suggests that there may have been cycles of oxygen production and carbon dioxide consumption, depending on relative abundances of plant and animal life, with the ice ages representing periods of apnea.

From "The Lives of a Cell" by Lewis Thomas