lethargy

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noun leth·ar·gy \ ˈle-thər-jē \

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

On Tuesday, shelter staff found cats showing symptoms of feline panleukopenia, including vomiting, diarrhea and lethargy.

— joe marusak, charlotteobserver, "Cats stricken with highly contagious virus at Cabarrus animal shelter," 23 Aug. 2017
However, babies with heart problems tend to have other issues that you or your child's pediatrician would easily pick up on like lethargy, difficulty feeding, a bluish skin tone, or gasping.

— korin miller, SELF, "Exactly How Crucial Are These High-Tech Baby-Monitoring Devices?," 14 Aug. 2017
Symptoms for dogs include lethargy, persistent coughing or sneezing, nasal or eye discharge, fever and reduced appetite.

— darcy costello, The Courier-Journal, "Dog flu outbreak spreads to a Kentucky Humane Society location," 21 July 2017
A child getting sick may develop fever, lethargy, skin rashes, irritability and a reluctance to eat.

— christina capatides, CBS News, "Newborn baby contracts illness and dies, likely from a visitor's kiss," 19 July 2017
In cats, symptoms can be nasal discharge, congestion, lethargy, lip smacking and excessive salivation.

— darcy costello, The Courier-Journal, "Highly contagious dog flu outbreak reaches Louisville Metro Animal Services," 14 July 2017
Inside 66,400 square feet of prime London real estate employees sit under a vast glass ceiling, retiring to a full-scale cinema and music room when lethargy strikes.

— mark walton, Ars Technica, "iPhone at 10: How Apple changed gaming for the better and the worse," 27 June 2017
The cool waters always magically dissolved the blankets of lethargy that collected during the day.

— beau evans, NOLA.com, "Man kills 'biggest snake I've ever seen' in Mississippi: report," 25 June 2017
Well aware of Lacey's troubled reputation, Carine attempts to lend support by befriending Bill, who's flattered by the attention and starts to emerge from his chronic lethargy.

— justin lowe, The Hollywood Reporter, "'The Bachelors': Film Review | LAFF 2017," 23 June 2017

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

Synonyms

hebetude, languor, lassitude, listlessness, stupor, torpor

Antonyms

vigor, vim, vitality, vivacity

Related Words

boredom, indifference; malaise; laziness; fatigue, sleepiness; narcosis; idleness, inaction

Near Antonyms

eagerness, enthusiasm, keenness, spiritedness; ambition, enterprise

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.