spiritless

adjective

spir·​it·​less ˈspir-ət-ləs 

: lacking animation, cheerfulness, or courage

spiritlessly adverb

spiritlessness noun

Synonyms

• listless
• tired
• lackadaisical
• exhausted
• weak
• limp
• languid
• languorous
• sleepy
• enervated
• languishing

Choose the Right Synonym for spiritless

languid, languorous, lackadaisical, listless, spiritless mean lacking energy or enthusiasm.

languid refers to an unwillingness or inability to exert oneself due to fatigue or physical weakness.

was depressed and languid for weeks after surgery

languorous suggests a dreamy boredom and delicacy that avoids unnecessary activity.

languorous cats lying in the sun

lackadaisical implies a carefree indifference marked by half-hearted efforts.

lackadaisical college seniors pretending to study

listless suggests a lack of interest caused by physical weakness or dissatisfied boredom.

listless hospital patients

listless children flipping through picture books on a rainy day

spiritless refers to a lack of animation or vigor that gives one's actions and words life.

a spiritless recital of the poem

Examples of spiritless in a Sentence

he was spiritless and depressed for weeks after being fired

Recent Examples on the Web

The Chiefs turned that spiritless first half into a 28-7 blowout Monday night against the Commanders, opening the second half with touchdown drives of 80, 75 and 94 yards. —Kansas City Star, 28 Oct. 2025

From spiritless spirits to refusing to open up a bar tab, members of Generation Z are continuing to challenge alcohol traditions. —Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 6 Sep. 2025

The Senators looked spiritless days ago in their building Saturday night ahead of Game 4. —Julian McKenzie, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025

Amid the spiritless spirits and a bevy of alcohol-free wines, ciders, and beers, luxury sparkling teas are comfortably the most exciting emerging trend in the low and no-alcohol sphere. —Camille Berry, Vogue, 29 Apr. 2025

Dance sections lacked charm; lyric passages were spiritless; the klezmer episodes in the third movement were strictly goyish. —Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 9 Dec. 2024

Yet the club dropped the contest in spiritless fashion, 6-2. —Julian McWilliams, BostonGlobe.com, 12 Aug. 2023

Lil Wayne is not tolerating spiritless crowds at his shows. —Daniela Avila, Peoplemag, 15 May 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1592, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

spiritless

adjective

spir·​it·​less ˈspir-ət-ləs 

: lacking courage or energy

spiritlessly adverb

spiritlessness noun