Definition of languorousnext

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 In conversation, Cornish-Dale is cocky but likable, with a languorous way of speaking that reminded me of Simon Cowell. Helen Lewis, The Atlantic, 14 May 2026 And throughout a 100-minute show, Cain recounted the story of a preacher’s daughter through wailing vocals, haunting drones, and meditative, languorous chants. Audrey Gibbs, Nashville Tennessean, 3 Sep. 2025 Adorned with almost graphically violent labels showcasing alpha predators -- a shark, a grizzly, an orca, a lion and some sort of particularly angry bird of prey -- the bottles are a far cry from the placid villas and languorous ladies plastered across so many wines. ABC News, 22 June 2026 Cord grass ripples across these languorous northern marshes and, while ships lay wounded and stranded in the former Aral, all that remains of the old Parkgate are some very old photographs, showing frigates, sand, and some very fetching Victorian bathing attire. Rob Crossan, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for languorous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for languorous
Adjective
  • This residential neighborhood has a languid pace of life, rich history, and delicious food.
    Adam Erace, Travel + Leisure, 7 July 2026
  • Their nominal wide players aren’t explosive wingers who sprint 50 yards in five seconds, but more languid players who like drifting infield and playing passing combinations.
    Michael Cox, New York Times, 4 July 2026
Adjective
  • But the maneuver failed to budge Comcast’s listless stock, which has languished for years as its primary business lost thousands of broadband customers.
    Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2026
  • The length exacerbates all the rest of the series' sins, including a lack of emotional depth, gratuitous suffering and violence, long stretches of boring, listless plotting and extraneous characters.
    Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 4 June 2026
Adjective
  • In the interest of not having to rehash the now-familiar back and forth, Ibrahimović stated that Lalas’ criticism of the French squad’s lackadaisical first-half efforts was rooted in ignorance, this despite the fact that his beef should have been directed at match analyst Landon Donovan.
    Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 24 June 2026
  • Allowing Towns and others the opportunity to help create on offense may help Brunson avoid some lackadaisical passing and silly fouls.
    Tom Rende, Forbes.com, 10 June 2026
Adjective
  • Depredation occurs when a shark steals an angler’s catch off their line, and Florida’s fishers are tired of it.
    Kairi Lowery, Miami Herald, 2 July 2026
  • Pugh is tired of seeing her mom suffer by no fault of her own.
    Bryant Reed, CBS News, 2 July 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
  • While no special launch event has been announced, these popular toys will be available at participating restaurants until supplies are exhausted.
    Laura Sirikul, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026
  • Historical evidence supports this portrayal to some extent, with exhausted monks leaving wry marginal notes.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 July 2026
Adjective
  • Rats, cockroaches and weasels run amok, tearing through limp tent sheets and biting children and newborn babies in their sleep.
    Sana Noor Haq, CNN Money, 5 July 2026
  • Of course, London is not short of premium lunch options or businesses built around the idea that office workers will pay for something better than a limp sandwich between meetings.
    Lela London, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026
Adjective
  • His long white oval scleras and perfect-circle black pupils, sometimes open and sometimes closed, are always inexplicably expressive—managing to seem happy, sad, scared, sleepy, shifty, angry, eager, alarmed, mischievous, or murderous.
    Casey Cep, New Yorker, 7 July 2026
  • Hualde says that some Pamplona residents rue his early promotion of the festival due to the ills of overtourism the sleepy provincial city is now experiencing.
    ABC News, ABC News, 6 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Languorous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/languorous. Accessed 9 Jul. 2026.

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