listless

adjective

list·​less ˈlist-ləs How to pronounce listless (audio)
: characterized by lack of interest, energy, or spirit
a listless melancholy attitude
listlessly adverb
listlessness noun
Choose the Right Synonym for listless

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 listless in a Sentence

He became listless, answered in monosyllables, gurgled, drank a great deal of whisky, and looked with hateful eyes at everyone. Isaiah Berlin, New York Times Book Review, 12 Apr. 1987
She looked up and saw everyone starting his work. She took out a piece of paper, feeling listless and bored as she did. Louise Fitzhugh, Harriet the Spy, 1964
His blue eyes had lost their colour; they had a listless droop; and his mouth, losing the fulness of youth, was weak and pale. W. Somerset Maugham, Of Human Bondage, 1915
Her pretty face was wan and listless, her hair uncurled—some locks hanging lankly down, and some carelessly twisted round her head. Emily Brontë, Wuthering Heights, 1847
The heat made everyone tired and listless. The party was a listless affair.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In it, Larson writes about the peace she’s felt when doing routine, rote tasks, the kind that typically make people feel listless and drained. Aytekin Tank, Forbes, 15 Oct. 2024 The fishermen reported the turtle to wildlife authorities, who rescued the listless turtle and transported her to the Vancouver Aquarium Marine Mammal Rescue Society. Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Nov. 2024 The green takeover was inspired by fan-cams that emerged in the listless days following Biden’s debate fumble. Zoe Guy, Vulture, 23 July 2024 Bruins safety Bryan Addison, who had walloped Oregon receiver Terrance Ferguson on an incomplete pass earlier in the second quarter, stepped in front of a Gabriel pass and returned the interception 96 yards for a touchdown that injected some life into a listless crowd. Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 29 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for listless 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English listles, from list entry 2

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of listless was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near listless

Cite this Entry

“Listless.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/listless. Accessed 4 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

listless

adjective
list·​less ˈlist-ləs How to pronounce listless (audio)
: too tired or too little interested to want to do things
listlessly adverb
listlessness noun
Etymology

Middle English listles "having a lack of desire to act or move," from earlier list "desire, liking"

More from Merriam-Webster on listless

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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