lethargic

le·thar·gic

adjective \lə-ˈthär-jik, le-\

Definition of LETHARGIC

1

: of, relating to, or characterized by laziness or lack of energy : feeling or affected by lethargy : sluggish

2

: indifferent, apathetic

— le·thar·gi·cal·ly \-ji-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

Examples of LETHARGIC

1. The patient is weak and lethargic.
2. <a big meal always makes me feel lethargic and sleepy>
3. You'll need to move your lure as slowly as possible to tempt the lethargic fish into feeding… —Lenny Rudow, Boating, December 1997
4. … became a drifter and for a time an alcoholic and finally lapsed into lethargic self-abasement. —Stanley Karnow, New York Times Book Review, 14 Oct. 1984
5. The audience was cold and lethargic. It is true there were about fifty-seven applauses, but they were not roars of enthusiasm by any means. —Lady Bird Johnson, 12 Jan. 1966, in A White House Diary,1970

Origin of LETHARGIC

(see lethargy)

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to LETHARGIC

Synonyms

dull, inert, inactive, quiescent, sleepy, sluggish, torpid

Antonyms

active

Related Words

ambitionless, apathetic, indolent, languorous, lazy, lazyish, listless, shiftless, slack, slothful, sluggard, sluggardly; dormant, inanimate, motionless, resting, sedentary, static, still; dead; dopey (also dopy), drugged; asleep, drowsy, somnambulant; catatonic, comatose

Near Antonyms

busy, engaged, occupied, working; animated, bouncing, dynamic, energetic, kinetic, lively, peppy, perky, spirited, sprightly, springy, vigorous, vital, vivacious, zippy; assiduous, diligent, hardworking, industrious, sedulous

Other Medicine Terms

analgesia, angina, diabetes, hepatitis, homeopathy, logorrhea, palliate, pandemic