as in tired
lacking bodily energy or motivation
when I had the flu, I felt listless and worn-out
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of listless
Data released earlier this week further confirmed the listless state of the broader labor market.
—
Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 8 Jan. 2026
One was a listless, underweight female goat with no appetite.
—Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 23 Dec. 2025
The team fell to 6-6 with the listless defeat, threatening both its playoff hopes and Tomlin’s non-losing season streak.
—Kayla Hayempour, NBC news, 1 Dec. 2025
After Mississippi State opened the game with one of the afternoon's few listless possessions, Texas sent Wingo in motion behind Manning and the receiver caught a quick pass, slipped away from three defenders and was tackled just short of the end zone, at the 3-yard line.
—Danny Davis, Austin American Statesman, 14 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for listless
Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 8 Jan. 2026
One was a listless, underweight female goat with no appetite.
—Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 23 Dec. 2025
The team fell to 6-6 with the listless defeat, threatening both its playoff hopes and Tomlin’s non-losing season streak.
—Kayla Hayempour, NBC news, 1 Dec. 2025
After Mississippi State opened the game with one of the afternoon's few listless possessions, Texas sent Wingo in motion behind Manning and the receiver caught a quick pass, slipped away from three defenders and was tackled just short of the end zone, at the 3-yard line.
—Danny Davis, Austin American Statesman, 14 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for listless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for listless
Adjective
-
The script is filled with tired tropes and doesn’t set up JayDee in a way that showcases his natural presence or way with words.—
Katie Walsh,
Boston Herald,
23 Jan. 2026
-
LeBron James’ agent, Rich Paul, is downplaying the bombshell report suggesting Los Angeles Lakers Governor Jeanie Buss has grown tired of his client.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
22 Jan. 2026
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
-
But as reserves become exhausted, shivering stops and body temperature continues to fall.—
Jesse Pines,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 2026
-
But as Liberato and his crew grew exhausted, the vibe shifted.—
Frederick Dreier,
Outside,
22 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Tomato stalks broke in two, my mother’s peppers dangled like limp green earrings from the stem.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
21 Jan. 2026
-
The outer leaves should be tightly packed and crisp, not limp or dry.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
20 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
With Minnesota leading by four and 1 minute, 10 seconds to play, Edwards got lackadaisical in his off-ball defense while guarding Chicago’s most potent scorer, Coby White.—
Jace Frederick,
Twin Cities,
23 Jan. 2026
-
In past years Newsom has been lackadaisical about delivering the annual State of the State message to the Legislature that the state Constitution requires.—
Dan Walters,
Mercury News,
7 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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In other cases, the reasons for transferring may not be as clear-cut—for instance, a student simply didn’t mesh with the social scene on campus or doesn’t like the sleepy town their college is located in.—
Christopher Rim,
Forbes.com,
22 Jan. 2026
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This recently opened hotel on the sleepy island of Folegandros is set high on the cliffside, surrounded by 80 acres of rugged nature and with the Aegean Sea directly in front.—
Nicole Kliest,
Vogue,
22 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
While Natanya wears her admiration for big-budget affairs like Janet Jackson’s All For You on her sleeve, her vocal production still maintains traces of the more languid bedroom soul popularized by the likes of Steve Lacy and monte booker.—
H.D. Angel,
Pitchfork,
13 Jan. 2026
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On a languid boat trip through Champagne, France, a cruise-travel expert discovers the upside to sailing at five miles per hour.—
David Swanson,
Travel + Leisure,
11 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Wicker, rattan, raffia, and marble make comfortable bedfellows, and all rooms have terraces with huge daybeds for languorous post-pilates reading sessions in the sun.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
5 Jan. 2026
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The album took soul and gospel cues from his first record and extended them into languorous jams.—
Nina Corcoran,
Pitchfork,
14 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Listless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/listless. Accessed 29 Jan. 2026.
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