lethargy

noun

leth·​ar·​gy ˈle-thər-jē 

1

: abnormal drowsiness

2

: the quality or state of being lazy, sluggish, or indifferent

Synonyms of lethargy

• boredom
• stupor

Choose the Right Synonym for lethargy

lethargy, languor, lassitude, stupor, torpor mean physical or mental inertness.

lethargy implies such drowsiness or aversion to activity as is induced by disease, injury, or drugs.

months of lethargy followed my accident

languor suggests inertia induced by an enervating climate or illness or love.

languor induced by a tropical vacation

lassitude stresses listlessness or indifference resulting from fatigue or poor health.

a depression marked by lassitude

stupor implies a deadening of the mind and senses by shock, narcotics, or intoxicants.

lapsed into an alcoholic stupor

torpor implies a state of suspended animation as of hibernating animals but may suggest merely extreme sluggishness.

a once alert mind now in a torpor

Examples of lethargy in a Sentence

However, on arrival, a mysterious illness had debilitated Darcus Bowden. An illness that no doctor could find any physical symptoms of, but which manifested itself in the most incredible lethargy, creating in Darcus … a lifelong affection for the dole, the armchair, and British television. —Zadie Smith, White Teeth, 2001

Warming himself ever so briefly had shaken away the lethargy and resignation and restored his will to survive. —Lois Lowry, The Giver, 1993

Dick Gale drew a long, deep breath. A coldness, a lethargy, an indifference that had weighed upon him for months had passed out of his being. —Zane Grey, Desert Gold, 1913

Then it occurred to me that I had shut the window before I had come to bed. I would have got out to make certain on the point, but some leaden lethargy seemed to chain my limbs and even my will. —Bram Stoker, Dracula, 1897

St. Clare knew this well; and often, in many a weary hour, he heard that slender, childish voice calling him to the skies, and saw that little hand pointing to him the way of life; but a heavy lethargy of sorrow lay on him,—he could not arise. —Harriet Beecher Stowe, Uncle Tom's Cabin, 1852

Symptoms of the disease include loss of appetite and lethargy.

I snapped out of my lethargy and began cleaning the house.

Recent Examples on the Web

If your lethargy or lack of desire to see people lingers for more than a few days, talking to someone is probably a good idea. —Cindy Kuzma, SELF, 29 Oct. 2025

The signs of bird flu in dogs and cats include fever, lethargy, low appetite, red or inflamed eyes, discharge from eyes and nose, coughing or sneezing, difficulty breathing and neurologic signs such as tremors, seizures, incoordination or blindness, according to the AVMA. —Laura Schulte, jsonline.com, 28 Oct. 2025

People experiencing more severe infections may also suffer high fever, aches, headaches, lethargy, rashes and blood in their urine. —Matthew Robinson, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Oct. 2025

My friend points to her husband’s lethargy as a sign of illness, though neither of them detected it at the time. —Harriette Cole, Mercury News, 30 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English litargie, letargye, borrowed from Anglo-French & Medieval Latin; Anglo-French litargie, borrowed from Medieval Latin litargia, letargia, going back to Latin lētargia, borrowed from Greek lēthargía, from lḗthargos "forgetful, sluggish" + -ia -ia entry 1 — more at lethargic

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

lethargy

noun

leth·​ar·​gy ˈleth-ər-jē 

1

: abnormal drowsiness

2

: the quality or state of being slow, lazy, or not caring

lethargic

lə-ˈthär-jik

le-

adjective

Medical Definition

lethargy

noun

leth·​ar·​gy ˈleth-ər-jē 

plural lethargies

1

: abnormal drowsiness

2

: the quality or state of being lazy, sluggish, or indifferent

lethargic adjective