Definition of lassitudenext

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 The result of this lassitude is that cars still rule the streets. Justin Davidson, Curbed, 18 Apr. 2025 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 See All Example Sentences for lassitude
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lassitude
Noun
  • Combining heavy amounts of alcohol on top of exhaustion and a lack of food, Sullivan blacked out.
    CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 16 Feb. 2026
  • In Worcester, which lay more than 40 miles from the Charlestown line, a parched and dusty rider arrived at the square in front of the church, where his horse collapsed in exhaustion.
    Kostya Kennedy, Time, 16 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Pets staying at home alone while owners work suffer from boredom, which can cause chronic psychological distress and health problems.
    Margret Grebowicz, Fortune, 13 Feb. 2026
  • But the flip side of such routine is the potential for boredom and lethargy.
    Big Think, Big Think, 10 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Some of those benefits are reduction in swelling and inflammation, pain relief, lowering of stress levels and fatigue.
    Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 14 Feb. 2026
  • Valvular heart disease, in which one more of the heart's valves don't function properly, can make the heart work harder and, over time, lead to conditions like chest pain, fatigue, and shortness of breath.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 14 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • But the flip side of such routine is the potential for boredom and lethargy.
    Big Think, Big Think, 10 Feb. 2026
  • Emery’s side appeared strangely leggy, as if having a week between games caused more lethargy than looking well-rested.
    Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Last year, many were convinced American politics would be destabilized by videos manipulated by artificial intelligence, or lulled into a post-truth stupor by AI slop.
    Ben Smith, semafor.com, 9 Feb. 2026
  • Spotlight The Welcome Demise of Climate Change Catastrophism Is the American Left finally waking up from its decades-long climate catastrophism stupor?
    Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2025
Noun
  • As the camera glides in and around a roller-skating rink, where much of the action takes place, Decker and Shlesinger achieve and sustain a terrific balance of comic velocity and erotic languor.
    Justin Chang, New Yorker, 31 Jan. 2026
  • Breaking Bad took place in the languor of suburbia and Better Call Saul in the corrupt organs of the legal system, but Vince Gilligan’s latest show Pluribus makes a home out of the stranger substrate of speculative sci-fi.
    Kat Chen, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Lassitude.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lassitude. Accessed 19 Feb. 2026.

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