Synonym Chooser

How does the noun lassitude contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of lassitude are languor, lethargy, stupor, and torpor. While all these words mean "physical or mental inertness," lassitude stresses listlessness or indifference resulting from fatigue or poor health.

a depression marked by lassitude

Where would languor be a reasonable alternative to lassitude?

Although the words languor and lassitude have much in common, languor suggests inertia induced by an enervating climate or illness or love.

languor induced by a tropical vacation

When could lethargy be used to replace lassitude?

The words lethargy and lassitude can be used in similar contexts, but lethargy implies such drowsiness or aversion to activity as is induced by disease, injury, or drugs.

months of lethargy followed my accident

When might stupor be a better fit than lassitude?

While the synonyms stupor and lassitude are close in meaning, stupor implies a deadening of the mind and senses by shock, narcotics, or intoxicants.

lapsed into an alcoholic stupor

When would torpor be a good substitute for lassitude?

In some situations, the words torpor and lassitude are roughly equivalent. However, 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 lassitude Wakefield-Scurr’s discoveries have helped rupture the long-standing lassitude. Megan Feringa, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2025 But the opinion, written by Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr., went way further than necessary to insulate Trump from prosecution — not simply before the election, which the court, by its lassitude, had nearly guaranteed, but forever, even in the event that President Biden wins reelection. Ruth Marcus, Washington Post, 1 July 2024 After so many episodes, there is no lassitude and the Mbappé saga continues to enliven conversations in France’s sports bars. Samuel Petrequin, USA TODAY, 12 Feb. 2024 Two to four days later, agitation may turn into sleepiness, depression, and lassitude; abdominal pain may concentrate in the upper right quadrant; and the liver might become enlarged, according to the WHO. Erin Prater, Fortune Well, 12 Jan. 2024 See All Example Sentences for lassitude
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lassitude
Noun
  • Between stress, shame, emotional disconnection, the current state of the world being challenging, and just plain exhaustion, desire can come and go.
    Dominique Fluker, Essence, 5 Aug. 2025
  • The exhaustion and boredom is certainly a factor, but these books just aren’t making a strong case for themselves anymore.
    James Folta, Literary Hub, 5 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • However, without enough structured activity, the breed can become restless and turn to destructive behaviors out of boredom.
    Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 July 2025
  • For some, the stakes are high; for others, this is content to be consumed in a moment of boredom.
    Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 30 July 2025
Noun
  • To be clear, however, your fatigue probably wouldn’t be isolated to mealtimes if this were the case.
    Caroline Tien, SELF, 6 Aug. 2025
  • From a physiological point of view, fatigue is associated with a rise in cortisol, the neuromediator that reflects our resilience to emotional or physical stress.
    Mélanie Defouilloy, Vogue, 6 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • People experiencing more severe infections may also suffer high fever, aches, headaches, lethargy, rashes and blood in their urine.
    Matthew Robinson, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Aug. 2025
  • Foods high in the amino acid tryptophan (like milk, turkey, chicken, lobster, and certain types of nuts) can also increase lethargy, according to Dr. Ganjhu.
    Caroline Tien, SELF, 6 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Ozzy canceled shows, or performed in a stupor, and sometimes attacked his bandmates.
    Scott Simon, NPR, 26 July 2025
  • Symptoms of the more serious illness include high fever, headache, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, vision loss, numbness and paralysis, according to the CDC.
    Madeline Heim, jsonline.com, 28 July 2025
Noun
  • The book’s languor can be ponderous and vintage, more 20th century than 21st.
    Daniel Felsenthal, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2025
  • This languor expands in the velvety air.
    J.T. Townley, The New York Review of Books, 6 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Lassitude.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lassitude. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.

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