Definition of lackadaisicalnext

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective lackadaisical differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of lackadaisical are languid, languorous, listless, and spiritless. While all these words mean "lacking energy or enthusiasm," lackadaisical implies a carefree indifference marked by half-hearted efforts.

lackadaisical college seniors pretending to study

Where would languid be a reasonable alternative to lackadaisical?

The meanings of languid and lackadaisical largely overlap; however, languid refers to an unwillingness or inability to exert oneself due to fatigue or physical weakness.

was depressed and languid for weeks after surgery

In what contexts can languorous take the place of lackadaisical?

Although the words languorous and lackadaisical have much in common, languorous suggests a dreamy boredom and delicacy that avoids unnecessary activity.

languorous cats lying in the sun

When is listless a more appropriate choice than lackadaisical?

While the synonyms listless and lackadaisical are close in meaning, 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

When could spiritless be used to replace lackadaisical?

While in some cases nearly identical to lackadaisical, 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 lackadaisical The defense was lackadaisical at best, while the offense wasn’t much better. Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 7 Feb. 2026 Some regard sociology as a gut major that caters to lackadaisical students. Wendy Nelson Espeland, Chicago Tribune, 3 Feb. 2026 The Giants’ secondary is in major need of a jumpstart after a horrendous season on the back end courtesy of poor drafting, unnecessarily frequent staff turnover and lackadaisical play. Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 31 Jan. 2026 With Minnesota leading by four and 1 minute, 10 seconds to play, Edwards got lackadaisical in his off-ball defense while guarding Chicago’s most potent scorer, Coby White. Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 23 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for lackadaisical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lackadaisical
Adjective
  • Nikita Kucherov had three assists in a four-goal first period and added another in the third to give him 100 points on the season as the Tampa Bay Lightning cruised past the listless Toronto Maple Leafs 5-2 on Saturday night.
    ABC News, ABC News, 7 Mar. 2026
  • Anyway, William chooses to remain drunk, listless, and depressed.
    Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 6 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Simmons said Tarrant families are tired of O’Hare’s bullying, silencing and antics.
    Rachel Royster March 5, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Mar. 2026
  • His poor metrics are the result of the Panthers looking tired and worn down in front of him, and Bobrovsky not being consistently at his absolute best.
    Jesse Granger, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • As at Ha’s Snack Bar, the food is an elegant wallop of neon flavors, foregrounding the punctilious greenness of Vietnamese herbs and the languorous funk of organ meats and offcuts, but now there’s room to breathe, to relax a little, to take it all in, to linger.
    Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 15 Feb. 2026
  • Wicker, rattan, raffia, and marble make comfortable bedfellows, and all rooms have terraces with huge daybeds for languorous post-pilates reading sessions in the sun.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • The Chiefs turned that spiritless first half into a 28-7 blowout Monday night against the Commanders, opening the second half with touchdown drives of 80, 75 and 94 yards.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 28 Oct. 2025
  • From spiritless spirits to refusing to open up a bar tab, members of Generation Z are continuing to challenge alcohol traditions.
    Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 6 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • That earlier film, a languid, unsettling thriller, focused on its protagonist’s emotional breakdown during a supposedly tranquil Mediterranean vacation.
    David Sims, The Atlantic, 6 Mar. 2026
  • The second movement begins with a languid viola solo played with velvety elegance by the Philharmonic’s principal, Cynthia Phelps.
    Justin Davidson, Vulture, 3 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Players and snaps added or lost are via the portal only (numbers do not include players lost due to exhausted eligibility or draft declarations).
    Manny Navarro, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2026
  • Each diagnosis brings its own set of decisions, procedures and treatments that quite frankly leave me feeling physically, mentally and emotionally exhausted.
    L'Oreal Thompson Payton, SELF, 6 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • But relying on the military to supplant the role traditionally performed by civilian law enforcement entails risks in a region where military institutions and oversight are weaker, armed forces have a legacy of human rights abuses and corruption is a perennial challenge.
    JOSHUA GOODMAN THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, Arkansas Online, 6 Mar. 2026
  • January’s stronger-than-expected total was likely buoyed by some one-time factors (notably, weaker holiday hiring that meant fewer post-holiday layoffs, and unseasonably warm weather in the early part of the month that boosted industries like construction).
    Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 6 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • The series’ Vladimir, played by Leo Woodall, is a rising literary star and a young father who’s just arrived at a sleepy upstate college, where he and his wife are set to teach.
    Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 5 Mar. 2026
  • Then, last Tuesday, Jackie started pancaking — lying flat in the nest bowl — for long stretches and her eyes looked sleepy.
    Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 3 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Lackadaisical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lackadaisical. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.

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