lethargy

noun leth·ar·gy \ ˈle-thər-jē \

Updated on: 22 Apr 2018

Definition of lethargy

1 : abnormal drowsiness

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

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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 of lethargy from the Web

The other is congressional lethargy; like agencies, the courts have latitude to interpret statutes subject to congressional correction.

— gregory koger, Vox, "The job of Congress: a primer," 17 Apr. 2018
During the second half of both games one thing was apparent: City's lethargy in the final third.

— SI.com, "REVEALED: Astonishing Stat Sheds Light on Manchester City's Frustrating Week in Front of Goal," 7 Apr. 2018
Part of the early-spring lethargy regarding the Orioles both back home and around the game was because for all their roster battles entering camp, none of the candidates were terribly inspiring.

— jon meoli, baltimoresun.com, "Five things we learned during spring training about the Orioles," 26 Mar. 2018
In November of last year, Hunter Brady, from Tampa Bay, had been experiencing lethargy and general malaise.

— madeleine marr, miamiherald, "The doctor told him he had a virus. It turned out to be Stage 4 cancer. | Miami Herald," 28 Feb. 2018
Dog flu causes upper-respiratory infections with symptoms similar to the human flu, or kennel cough: coughs, runny snouts and lethargy that can last as long as four weeks.

— michael mcgough, sacbee, "Flu vaccination being considered – for pets – as ‘dog flu’ is reported near San Jose," 12 Jan. 2018
Impatience with governmental lethargy grew into a demand for strong leaders willing to break rules to get things done.

— william a. galston, WSJ, "Populism’s Challenge to Democracy," 16 Mar. 2018
The first sign of the sickness is typically the development of wounds or lesions on the skin, and/or signs of kidney failure including lethargy, vomiting, and decreased appetite.

— jessica leigh mattern, Country Living, "What Is Alabama Rot? Here's Everything Pet Owners Need to Know About the Deadly Dog Disease," 10 Mar. 2018
Ingestion of sago palm leaves, seeds or other plant parts causes liver failure, usually signaled by drooling, vomiting, diarrhea or a tarry black stool, depression, appetite loss, abdominal pain, lethargy and jaundice.

— kim campbell thornton, sacbee, "Sago palms pose serious risks to pets – here are key things to know | The Sacramento Bee," 14 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'lethargy.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of lethargy

Middle English litargie, from Medieval Latin litargia, from Late Latin lethargia, from Greek lēthargia, from lēthargos forgetful, lethargic, irregular from lēthē

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First Known Use: 14th century

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lethargy Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of 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

Other Medicine Terms

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

LETHARGY Defined for English Language Learners

lethargy

noun

Definition of lethargy for English Language Learners

: a lack of energy or a lack of interest in doing things : a lethargic feeling or state

Medical Dictionary

lethargy

noun leth·ar·gy \ ˈleth-ər-jē \

medical Definition of lethargy

plural lethargies

1 : abnormal drowsiness

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

—

lethargic

adjective

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lethargy

Definition of lethargy

Examples of lethargy in a Sentence

Recent Examples of lethargy from the Web

Origin and Etymology of lethargy

lethargy Synonyms

Synonyms

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Synonym Discussion of lethargy

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LETHARGY Defined for English Language Learners

lethargy

Definition of lethargy for English Language Learners

Medical Dictionary

lethargy

medical Definition of lethargy

lethargic

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