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 Day 4 Observations Utah blasted a listless Orlando team to open the final day of the season. Todd Boss, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2025 The animal was found listless on the sand at Oceano Dunes Vehicular Recreation Area south of Pismo Beach. Steven Rosenfeld, Mercury News, 4 Aug. 2025 The flags that ring the Washington Monument's base are drooping and listless. Bill Chappell, NPR, 1 Aug. 2025 After two listless seasons, Wilson was replaced as the Jets’ starter in 2023 by future Hall of Famer Aaron Rodgers. Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 15 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for listless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for listless
Adjective
  • Reed got her first gig at Cataloochee at the age of 19 in 1996 and has never tired of the work.
    Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 14 Sep. 2025
  • Manning’s inefficiency was on full display, and the Longhorns faithful grew tired of it during the first half.
    Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 14 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • 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
  • The Senators looked spiritless days ago in their building Saturday night ahead of Game 4.
    Julian McKenzie, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The director noticed that the exhausted Sheen couldn't keep his eyes open even when cameras were rolling.
    Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
  • The result is not just one exhausted employee, but a system that steadily depletes its people.
    Sandro da Silva, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The tense post-game meeting between them at midfield came with a limp handshake and loaded question from Carroll.
    Jay Paris, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
  • After 2200 hours, your arms would forever hang limp by your sides.
    Manuel Muñoz, Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Sorry to all the girlies who are lackadaisical about leaving home and would rather rub their feet together in bed.
    Essence, Essence, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Patience is the hallmark of Chinese operators, but the other side of this story is the lackadaisical attitude toward security that remains all too common among Western IT managers.
    Emil Sayegh, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Except that four years later, on The Hills, Lauren Conrad passed it up for a guy with frosted tips and sleepy vibes.
    Megan Angelo, Glamour, 11 Sep. 2025
  • New York — Oracle, a large but generally sleepy cloud-computing company, just had an absolutely bonkers day on Wall Street.
    Allison Morrow, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • While not abandoning core design DNA—crisp, modern tailoring, languid sensuality, and oodles of good taste to wit—the brand delivered a collection that felt like a breath of fresh air.
    Roxanne Robinson, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Renewed federal support for drilling in the US, combined with languid global oil demand and increasing drilling by OPEC countries, has pushed oil prices to their lowest level since the pandemic.
    Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • And throughout a 100-minute show, Cain recounted the story of a preacher’s daughter through wailing vocals, haunting drones, and meditative, languorous chants.
    Audrey Gibbs, Nashville Tennessean, 3 Sep. 2025
  • Planned or not, that mess is smoothed out as the film proceeds, and Washington’s performance goes from languorous and dazed to razor-sharp and darkly humorous—reminiscent of the work he’s done for Lee in the past.
    David Sims, The Atlantic, 19 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Listless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/listless. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.

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