1
as in boredom
physical or mental inertness
following a couple of big mistakes early in the game, the team sank into an uncharacteristic listlessness and was never able to recover the lead
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in restlessness
the state of being bored
we searched desperately for something to jar us out of our listlessness
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in weakness
the quality or state of lacking physical strength or vigor
general listlessness is often a side effect of chemotherapy
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of listlessness
The disease in deer is often characterized by progressive weight loss, stumbling, lack of coordination, listlessness, drooping ears, excessive drooling or thirst and a lack of fear of humans.
—
Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 28 Apr. 2026
But while it’s bound to be emotional, this transition doesn’t have to be a time of listlessness and sadness.
—Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 5 Mar. 2026
These signs include loss of appetite, weight loss, lack of energy, listlessness or clinginess and loss of interest in physical play.
—Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Nov. 2025
And the locker room could feel the listlessness heading into the game.
—Charlotte Observer, 10 Nov. 2025
After a year of listlessness, the Democrats experienced their first major electoral string of victories on Tuesday, sweeping the Republicans in every major race.
—Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 7 Nov. 2025
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CWD can take months to years for symptoms to appear, which could include drastic weight loss, stumbling or lack of coordination, drooling and listlessness.
—Caroline Neal, Louisville Courier Journal, 30 Oct. 2025
In early Christian thinking, its connotations of languor and listlessness, within the spirit no less than the body, lent it the status of a sin—a turning aside from God for the sake of earthly sorrow.
—Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 13 Oct. 2025
In the second half, veteran center Garrett Bradbury sensed the Patriots offense stalling from its own listlessness.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 8 Sep. 2025
Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 28 Apr. 2026
But while it’s bound to be emotional, this transition doesn’t have to be a time of listlessness and sadness.
—Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 5 Mar. 2026
These signs include loss of appetite, weight loss, lack of energy, listlessness or clinginess and loss of interest in physical play.
—Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Nov. 2025
And the locker room could feel the listlessness heading into the game.
—Charlotte Observer, 10 Nov. 2025
After a year of listlessness, the Democrats experienced their first major electoral string of victories on Tuesday, sweeping the Republicans in every major race.
—Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 7 Nov. 2025
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CWD can take months to years for symptoms to appear, which could include drastic weight loss, stumbling or lack of coordination, drooling and listlessness.
—Caroline Neal, Louisville Courier Journal, 30 Oct. 2025
In early Christian thinking, its connotations of languor and listlessness, within the spirit no less than the body, lent it the status of a sin—a turning aside from God for the sake of earthly sorrow.
—Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 13 Oct. 2025
In the second half, veteran center Garrett Bradbury sensed the Patriots offense stalling from its own listlessness.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 8 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for listlessness
Noun
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Career pivots are often messy, beginning with boredom signaling that current work no longer fits.—
Cheryl Robinson,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2026
-
Sitting with boredom is a political act.—
Kevin Giraud,
Variety,
18 June 2026
Noun
-
The weakness that began in technology stocks spread through Asia and Europe on Tuesday, while precious metals also came under pressure as investors reassessed the path of interest rates.—
Justina Lee,
CNBC,
24 June 2026
-
When the complex was being constructed, there were deviations from the building’s original design, contributing to structural weaknesses, the report said.—
Aaron Leibowitz,
Miami Herald,
23 June 2026
Noun
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Some of these symptoms include a high fever, lethargy, hearing loss, kidney failure, confusion, brain damage, learning disabilities, coma and possibly death.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
18 June 2026
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Symptoms of prolonged deficiency include ventroflexion of the neck (bending the head toward the floor); mental dullness (confusion, lethargy, non-responsiveness, failing to interact, low energy); vision changes; wobbly walking, circling, or falling; seizures; and weakness and lethargy.—
Michele Laufik,
Martha Stewart,
10 June 2026
Noun
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The title Wowed Out comes from James’ own phrase for the sensory exhaustion brought on by modern life.—
SPIN Staff,
SPIN,
23 June 2026
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The war-weariness in Sadeq’s words reflects the exhaustion felt throughout Lebanon, but especially among the Shiites who form a third of its 6 million residents.—
Nabih Bulos,
Los Angeles Times,
22 June 2026
Noun
-
But now, the Outback appears to be out of its stupor.—
Byron Hurd,
The Drive,
4 June 2026
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Their apps seem clearly designed, much like TikTok and Candy Crush, to keep users scrolling and tapping in a hypnotic stupor.—
McKay Coppins,
The Atlantic,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Their soft, breathable and moisture-wicking socks are designed to help improve circulation, reduce swelling and relieve aches and fatigue throughout the day.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
20 June 2026
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Experiencing symptoms of a fever, fatigue, headache, rash and loss of consciousness, the person was hospitalized for over two weeks, when officials determined the patient was suffering from an infection borne by the Rickettsia lanei pathogen.—
Reeti Malhotra,
Sacbee.com,
20 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Listlessness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/listlessness. Accessed 24 Jun. 2026.
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