Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective listless differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of listless are lackadaisical, languid, languorous, and spiritless. While all these words mean "lacking energy or enthusiasm," 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

When can lackadaisical be used instead of listless?

While the synonyms lackadaisical and listless are close in meaning, lackadaisical implies a carefree indifference marked by half-hearted efforts.

lackadaisical college seniors pretending to study

When might languid be a better fit than listless?

The words languid and listless are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 is it sensible to use languorous instead of listless?

The words languorous and listless can be used in similar contexts, but languorous suggests a dreamy boredom and delicacy that avoids unnecessary activity.

languorous cats lying in the sun

When would spiritless be a good substitute for listless?

Although the words spiritless and listless have much in common, 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 listless His at-bats over the past two weeks often looked listless. Zack Meisel, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025 The latest defeat - a listless performance against Syracuse at home - was preceded by a midweek rant by Dabo Swinney With his team out of the ACC title race before the end of September, Swinney's prediction of a possible 16-0 season seems like a long time ago. Erick Smith, USA Today, 22 Sep. 2025 Another reason to like the Niners is the revenge factor after their listless 47-24 loss to Arizona in Week 18 last January. Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025 The air was damp and listless and the heat was something to wade through, thick as molasses. Literary Hub, 3 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for listless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for listless
Adjective
  • The first turned a fourth-quarter fumble into a 59-yard score when Achane burst through a tired, and seemingly defeated Buffalo defensive front and outsprinted the Bills’ entire secondary to the end zone.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 9 Nov. 2025
  • But that feels like a tired, outdated characterisation.
    Oliver Kay, New York Times, 8 Nov. 2025
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
  • Two shivering dogs now sat in her backseat, exhausted but safe.
    Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 7 Nov. 2025
  • Surely that has increasing resonance among the politically exhausted and spiritually disenchanted.
    Abby McCloskey, Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • After arriving at the residential property, a woman, who was not publicly identified, rushed toward him while carrying the limp baby in her arms.
    Jillian Frankel, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
  • Chip had marked the birds down and brought them to me, warm, soft, and limp, one at a time.
    Joel M. Vance, Outdoor Life, 29 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • There’s a sanguine sweetness to the proceedings, and a lackadaisical approach to dry joke delivery that sort of resembles Wes Anderson’s stop-motion work like The Fantastic Mr. Fox (and to a lesser degree his live-action movies).
    Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 22 Oct. 2025
  • However the United Farmworkers Union has contended that staff shortages and lackadaisical management prevent the state Division of Occupational Safety and Health, better known as Cal/OSHA, from effectively enforcing those rules, leading to workers’ debilitating conditions and even death.
    Dan Walters, Mercury News, 3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Signs to treat fevers include being unusually sleepy, cranky and refusing food and drinks.
    Erika Edwards, NBC news, 6 Nov. 2025
  • Trancoso, Bahia The opening of Uxua Casa Hotel & Spa in 2009 transformed the sleepy fishing village of Trancoso into a boho-chic hot spot.
    Maya Kachroo-Levine, Travel + Leisure, 5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • Her voice, languid and honeyed, can glide over sensual R&B, bouncing reggaetón, shimmering pop or nostalgic jazz.
    Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 16 Oct. 2025
  • One-sided, slightly tipping top-handle bags emerged as well as mesh and net bags, also supporting the more languid fluid rtw looks.
    Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The album took soul and gospel cues from his first record and extended them into languorous jams.
    Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 14 Oct. 2025
  • As the days grow shorter and darker, and temperatures drop, there’s nothing quite like knowing there’s a warm, welcoming bed awaiting you at home to usher in a cozy night’s sleep, and long, languorous mornings when time allows.
    Hannah Coates, Vogue, 2 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Listless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/listless. Accessed 12 Nov. 2025.

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