Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective languorous differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of languorous are lackadaisical, languid, listless, and spiritless. While all these words mean "lacking energy or enthusiasm," languorous suggests a dreamy boredom and delicacy that avoids unnecessary activity.

languorous cats lying in the sun

When is it sensible to use lackadaisical instead of languorous?

In some situations, the words lackadaisical and languorous are roughly equivalent. However, lackadaisical implies a carefree indifference marked by half-hearted efforts.

lackadaisical college seniors pretending to study

When can languid be used instead of languorous?

The synonyms languid and languorous are sometimes interchangeable, but languid refers to an unwillingness or inability to exert oneself due to fatigue or physical weakness.

was depressed and languid for weeks after surgery

When would listless be a good substitute for languorous?

While in some cases nearly identical to languorous, 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

In what contexts can spiritless take the place of languorous?

The meanings of spiritless and languorous largely overlap; however, spiritless refers to a lack of animation or vigor that gives one's actions and words life.

a spiritless recital of the poem

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of languorous Steeped in the pleasantly lazy atmosphere of the title setting, the film is languorous, but not long. Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 25 Jan. 2025 Such languorous scenes led one of my friends, a seasoned war reporter, to remark that the film was short on action, and its pace is undeniably slower than the typical war documentary. Simon Shuster, TIME, 14 Feb. 2025 Steeped in the pleasantly lazy atmosphere of the title setting, the film is languorous, but not long. Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 25 Jan. 2025 Ghia Le Spritz Variety 12-Pack $145 Ghia A wanderlust-inducing coffee table book Il Dolce Far Niente, or the sweetness of doing nothing, is effortlessly captured in this mesmerizing photo book cataloging a languorous Italian summer by Lucy Laucht. Sophie Dodd, Bon Appétit, 11 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for languorous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for languorous
Adjective
  • Perhaps Goodman could withstand his sweatshop duties as a catcher while still producing the power its languid offense so desperately needs.
    Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 6 June 2025
  • The story’s epic scope is never matched by its languid unveiling, told in awkward conversation scenes where the pieces (and eyelines) don’t seem to fit.
    Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 25 May 2025
Adjective
  • Gilgeous-Alexander lost steam as the game went on, with his possessions looking more listless.
    Jared Weiss, New York Times, 21 June 2025
  • It’s been listless this week after unveiling several modest upcoming changes to the software that runs its devices.
    Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2025
Adjective
  • Now then, some angry pundits will excoriate you for being so lackadaisical.
    Lance Eliot, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025
  • With over 70 beaches—the most of any Greek island—Milos is a destination for those seeking lackadaisical days spent lounging in and out of cerulean waters.
    Elise Taylor, Vogue, 16 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Mowing Lawns Homeowners are usually away on vacation or are probably too tired to maintain their yards.
    Sho Dewan, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025
  • But, in Dick’s opinion, Charlie grew tired of baseball’s daily grind.
    Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 22 June 2025
Adjective
  • The Senators looked spiritless days ago in their building Saturday night ahead of Game 4.
    Julian McKenzie, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025
  • Amid the spiritless spirits and a bevy of alcohol-free wines, ciders, and beers, luxury sparkling teas are comfortably the most exciting emerging trend in the low and no-alcohol sphere.
    Camille Berry, Vogue, 29 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • That endurance capacity is likely due to female bodies preferentially using slow-burning fat over quickly exhausted carbohydrates, in both athletes and less sporty people, studies have shown.
    The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 June 2025
  • Moreover, deep cleaning tasks that involve scrubbing or reorganizing cabinets can take longer than anticipated, leaving you feeling exhausted before bed.
    Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 June 2025
Adjective
  • The final picture is a solo shot of Ocean Rain, sleepy and sweetly tucked into a coral blanket embroidered with her name.
    Clea Haran, Parents, 23 June 2025
  • By the end of that summer, the sleepy months had become prime box-office real estate.
    Mark Hughes, Forbes.com, 21 June 2025
Adjective
  • But in the resulting crash, as flames burst all around and the pilot’s bodies go limp, the camera in the cockpit finds Fielder, standing against the conflagration.
    Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 23 Apr. 2025
  • Bacchus, bone-dry, slumps in the center of a stagnant green pool clutching fistfuls of limp grapes; none of the fountains is turned on.
    Caity Weaver, The Atlantic, 5 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Languorous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/languorous. Accessed 29 Jun. 2025.

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