LANGUOR Synonyms: 85 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'languor' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of languor are lassitude , lethargy , stupor , and torpor . While all these words mean "physical or mental inertness," languor suggests inertia induced by an enervating climate or illness or love. // languor induced by a tropical vacation

Q: When is it sensible to use 'lassitude' instead of 'languor'?

While the synonyms lassitude and languor are close in meaning, lassitude stresses listlessness or indifference resulting from fatigue or poor health. // a depression marked by lassitude

Q: When can 'lethargy' be used instead of 'languor'?

The meanings of lethargy and languor largely overlap; however, lethargy implies such drowsiness or aversion to activity as is induced by disease, injury, or drugs. // months of lethargy followed my accident

Q: When could 'stupor' be used to replace 'languor'?

The synonyms stupor and languor are sometimes interchangeable, but stupor implies a deadening of the mind and senses by shock, narcotics, or intoxicants. // lapsed into an alcoholic stupor

Q: When might 'torpor' be a better fit than 'languor'?

While in some cases nearly identical to languor , 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

languor

noun

ˈlaŋ-gər

Definition of languor

as in boredom

physical or mental inertness the beach was packed with sunbathers wallowing in the languor brought on by a scorching summer day

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in weakness

the quality or state of lacking physical strength or vigor the tropical heat sapped our strength, leaving us in a state of unaccustomed languor

Synonyms & Similar Words

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How does the noun languor contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of languor are lassitude, lethargy, stupor, and torpor. While all these words mean "physical or mental inertness," languor suggests inertia induced by an enervating climate or illness or love.

languor induced by a tropical vacation

When is it sensible to use lassitude instead of languor?

While the synonyms lassitude and languor are close in meaning, lassitude stresses listlessness or indifference resulting from fatigue or poor health.

a depression marked by lassitude

When can lethargy be used instead of languor?

The meanings of lethargy and languor largely overlap; however, lethargy implies such drowsiness or aversion to activity as is induced by disease, injury, or drugs.

months of lethargy followed my accident

When could stupor be used to replace languor?

The synonyms stupor and languor are sometimes interchangeable, but stupor implies a deadening of the mind and senses by shock, narcotics, or intoxicants.

lapsed into an alcoholic stupor

When might torpor be a better fit than languor?

While in some cases nearly identical to languor, 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

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 languor Austen wrings a great deal of humor from Lady Bertram’s dopey languor. — Literary Hub, 14 Jan. 2026 No wilting languor on this veranda — for that matter, no veranda either — just ferocity, desperation, and, of course, brutal desire. — Sara Holdren, Vulture, 4 Dec. 2025 Nothing like a little languor and ennui — and in crisp black-and-white — on the Algerian coast to usher out winter and into spring. — Jay Cannon, USA Today, 25 Oct. 2025 Infield singles by Jake Cronenworth and Tatis in the eighth inning, both of which caromed off pitcher Gregory Soto, broke up the offensive languor but did not result in the game being any closer. — Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for languor

Recent Examples of Synonyms for languor

Noun

Conversely, if the term is meant as an insult, then a critic should describe the underlying mechanisms which produce the boredom in question.

— Sam Bodrojan, IndieWire, 17 Sep. 2026
While stereotypes focus on tragedy and horror, Rosales reorients our gaze, revealing moments of tenderness and boredom, rest and joy.

— Myriam Gurba, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of boredom

Noun

Similarly, behavioral assessments also shed light on potential weaknesses, such as poor communication skills or a tendency to avoid conflict, which can be addressed proactively.

— Karla Vallecillo, Hartford Courant, 18 Sep. 2026
This ambitious tripartite structure comes with strengths and weaknesses.

— David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of weakness

Noun

Be aware of and report any coyotes exhibiting behavior indicative of rabies, such as staggering, seizures and extreme lethargy.

— Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 16 Sep. 2026
Its bureaucratic process and institutional lethargy are proving, unexpectedly, to be an asset in an age of instability.

— JONAS NAHM, Foreign Affairs, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of lethargy

Noun

Patients may experience a very high fever, headaches, neck pain, stupor, disorientation, muscle weakness and other serious symptoms.

— Irene Wright, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026
Fernández’s theory is that Mark must have told the women the code to his safe in his pliant stupor.

— Mattha Busby, Rolling Stone, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of stupor

Noun

But unlike actual fatigues, this is cut to drape just right in all the right places and is clean of any distressing and patches.

— Alison Syrett Cleary, InStyle, 18 Sep. 2026
Beyond common cold symptoms like a cough, sore throat and runny nose, people sick with COVID-19 often have body aches, shortness of breath and difficulty breathing, headache, fatigue, fever and loss of taste and/or smell.

— Ann Sheehan, The Conversation, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of fatigue

Noun

Stranger by the Lake is a bookend of sorts to La Piscine, as both films seem to condemn their characters, and by extension, the counterculture surrounding them, to a lassitude incapable of any moral authority.

— Erik Morse, Vogue, 26 June 2025
The result of this lassitude is that cars still rule the streets.

— Justin Davidson, Curbed, 18 Apr. 2025

Definition of lassitude

Noun

In recent years, white supremacists have embraced the concept of lactose intolerance as a distinguishing debility of nonwhite people.

— Hilary Smith, The Conversation, 25 Aug. 2026
And, when pets suffered from cancer or heart failure or debility, conversations about what to do next were emotional but often straightforward.

— Sunita Puri, New Yorker, 6 June 2026

Definition of debility

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“Languor.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/languor. Accessed 20 Sep. 2026.

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