Definition of languornext

Synonym Chooser

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
  • Take us to that moment, this middle-age malaise, this boredom.
    Longreads, Longreads, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Her boredom was sharpened by the discovery that most of her initial assumptions were wrong.
    Madhuri Vijay, New Yorker, 16 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Researchers point out that this ability could make maritime simulations more realistic while helping identify weaknesses in operational plans.
    Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Summary Several investor rights firms are threatening class actions against into Suja Life after its stock plummeted following disappointing Q2 earnings and reduced guidance, attributed to grocery channel weakness.
    Pamela N. Danziger, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Lastly, Harford County Animal Control urges residents to notify them at 410-638-3505 if anyone observes a stray animal showing signs of excessive affection, aggression, lethargy, or disorientation.
    Michelle Richardson, CBS News, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Perhaps the jump scares here also helped shake the filmmakers out of their lethargy in post-production.
    Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 19 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Economic exhaustion and an atmosphere of fear have left virtually no part of Iranian existence untouched.
    Greg Dixon, NPR, 28 Aug. 2026
  • That means, for example, Jason and Lucia can gain or lose weight, build muscle and incur physical markers of exhaustion.
    Angela Yang, NBC news, 27 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • 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
  • The sense is of a political culture reluctantly shaking off a decades-long stupor.
    Michael Powell, The Atlantic, 30 July 2026
Noun
  • The platform will be monitored over time to assess how the bamboo composite performs against fatigue, environmental exposure and other stresses encountered offshore.
    Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Immediate consequences can develop quickly Heat strain may begin with fatigue, headache, dizziness, weakness or nausea and progress to heat exhaustion or heat stroke.
    Julian L. Gallegos, The Conversation, 27 Aug. 2026
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
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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Languor.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/languor. Accessed 31 Aug. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster