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
  • The result can appear not only as exhaustion, but also irritability, decreased concentration, emotional numbing, sleep disruption, and heightened anxiety.
    Maia Niguel Hoskin, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026
  • Korkosz said the challenge is not only violence, but exhaustion.
    Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 17 May 2026
Noun
  • The habit of tolerating boredom and refusing to treat it as a signal to quit turns out to be a competitive advantage hiding in plain sight.
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 20 May 2026
  • Many refugees came to her complaining of the headaches and sores and bodily pains that come from extreme stress and extreme boredom, of bedding on cold floors and being awoken through the night by explosions.
    James Verini, The Atlantic, 12 May 2026
Noun
  • It's made with deep five-millimeter lugs that are seriously grippy on all kinds of terrain from mud to rocks, and its special midsole absorbs a ton of impact to keep your feet pain-free and without fatigue for as long as possible.
    Jasmine Gomez, Travel + Leisure, 23 May 2026
  • War fatigue, restricted social media, and disruptions to online banking are deepening this dark mood.
    Anna Nemtsova, Time, 23 May 2026
Noun
  • This includes lethargy, weakness, discolored gums, or changes in urine color, warns April Summers, DVM, emergency veterinarian at AVSG Internal Medicine, Emergency & Critical Care.
    Rae Ford, Martha Stewart, 23 May 2026
  • The eaglet began showing signs of illness on May 14, with symptoms including regurgitating food, a disinterest in eating, lethargy and weakness, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported.
    Finch Walker, USA Today, 18 May 2026
Noun
  • Their apps seem clearly designed, much like TikTok and Candy Crush, to keep users scrolling and tapping in a hypnotic stupor.
    McKay Coppins, The Atlantic, 12 Mar. 2026
  • Patrons — many just as panicked and some in a drunken stupor — ran by her.
    Emiliano Tahui Gómez, Austin American Statesman, 8 Mar. 2026
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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Lassitude.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lassitude. Accessed 24 May. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on lassitude

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