Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Thesaurus

listless

adjective

Synonyms and Antonyms of listless

lacking bodily energy or motivation

  • when I had the flu, I felt listless and worn-out
Synonyms of listless

enervated, lackadaisical, languid, languishing, languorous, limp, spiritless
Words Related to listless

indolent, lazy, slothful

dull, lethargic, logy (also loggy), sleepy, sluggish, torpid

exhausted, knackered [British], tired, weary

feeble, frail, weak

apathetic, impassive, indifferent, phlegmatic, stolid

careless, heedless, thoughtless, unwary

inactive, inert
Near Antonyms of listless

active, dynamic, industrious, kinetic

avid, eager, enthusiastic, keen, lively, pumped, vivacious

cheerful, chipper, perky, up

agog, alert, awake, dapper, open-eyed, sleepless, vigilant, watchful, wide-awake
Antonyms of listless

ambitious, animated, energetic, enterprising, motivated

Synonym Discussion of listless

languid, languorous, lackadaisical, listless, spiritless mean lacking energy or enthusiasm. languid refers to an unwillingness or inability to exert oneself due to fatigue or physical weakness.
    • was depressed and languid for weeks after surgery
languorous suggests a dreamy boredom and delicacy that avoids unnecessary activity.
    • languorous cats lying in the sun
lackadaisical implies a carefree indifference marked by half-hearted efforts.
    • lackadaisical college seniors pretending to study
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
spiritless refers to a lack of animation or vigor that gives one's actions and words life.
    • a spiritless recital of the poem

Learn More about listless

  1. Dictionary: Definition of listless Spanish Central: Translation of listless Nglish: Translation of listless for Spanish speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up listless? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show comments hide comments

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

WORD OF THE DAY

panoply

a magnificent or impressive array

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. Spartan Red Cross Warns of Shelter Conditions

  2. hirsute RIP Burt Reynolds

  3. op-ed NYT Publishes Anonymous Piece

  4. collegiality Kavanaugh Mentions Word in Hearing

  5. mistrial Manafort Guilty on 8 Counts

SEE ALL

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games