1
as in boredom
physical or mental inertness
following a couple of big mistakes early in the game, the team sank into an uncharacteristic listlessness and was never able to recover the lead
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in restlessness
the state of being bored
we searched desperately for something to jar us out of our listlessness
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in weakness
the quality or state of lacking physical strength or vigor
general listlessness is often a side effect of chemotherapy
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of listlessness
The disease in deer is often characterized by progressive weight loss, stumbling, lack of coordination, listlessness, drooping ears, excessive drooling or thirst and a lack of fear of humans.
—
Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 28 Apr. 2026
But while it’s bound to be emotional, this transition doesn’t have to be a time of listlessness and sadness.
—Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 5 Mar. 2026
These signs include loss of appetite, weight loss, lack of energy, listlessness or clinginess and loss of interest in physical play.
—Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Nov. 2025
And the locker room could feel the listlessness heading into the game.
—Charlotte Observer, 10 Nov. 2025
After a year of listlessness, the Democrats experienced their first major electoral string of victories on Tuesday, sweeping the Republicans in every major race.
—Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 7 Nov. 2025
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CWD can take months to years for symptoms to appear, which could include drastic weight loss, stumbling or lack of coordination, drooling and listlessness.
—Caroline Neal, Louisville Courier Journal, 30 Oct. 2025
In early Christian thinking, its connotations of languor and listlessness, within the spirit no less than the body, lent it the status of a sin—a turning aside from God for the sake of earthly sorrow.
—Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 13 Oct. 2025
In the second half, veteran center Garrett Bradbury sensed the Patriots offense stalling from its own listlessness.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 8 Sep. 2025
Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 28 Apr. 2026
But while it’s bound to be emotional, this transition doesn’t have to be a time of listlessness and sadness.
—Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 5 Mar. 2026
These signs include loss of appetite, weight loss, lack of energy, listlessness or clinginess and loss of interest in physical play.
—Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Nov. 2025
And the locker room could feel the listlessness heading into the game.
—Charlotte Observer, 10 Nov. 2025
After a year of listlessness, the Democrats experienced their first major electoral string of victories on Tuesday, sweeping the Republicans in every major race.
—Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 7 Nov. 2025
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CWD can take months to years for symptoms to appear, which could include drastic weight loss, stumbling or lack of coordination, drooling and listlessness.
—Caroline Neal, Louisville Courier Journal, 30 Oct. 2025
In early Christian thinking, its connotations of languor and listlessness, within the spirit no less than the body, lent it the status of a sin—a turning aside from God for the sake of earthly sorrow.
—Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 13 Oct. 2025
In the second half, veteran center Garrett Bradbury sensed the Patriots offense stalling from its own listlessness.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 8 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for listlessness
Noun
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The movement feels like a miracle drug for boredom, a long time coming for even baseball’s most traditional fan base.—
Candace Buckner,
New York Times,
2 June 2026
-
There is boredom, and annoyance with this passive, oblivious little girl.—
Deborah Treisman,
New Yorker,
1 June 2026
Noun
-
Spending has held up, and the economy hasn’t shown the kind of demand collapse that typically accompanies recession-level income weakness.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
2 June 2026
-
Oftentimes, people associate apologizing too much as a sign of incompetence, weakness or even behavior that’s annoying.—
Avni Trivedi,
CNN Money,
2 June 2026
Noun
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The symptoms of a magnesium deficiency include fatigue, lethargy, nausea, loss of appetite, and muscle weakness.—
Maggie O'Neill,
Verywell Health,
2 June 2026
-
Bluebell poisoning impacts a dog’s heart and causes symptoms like stomach pain, diarrhea, drooling, trembling, lowered heart rate, vomiting and lethargy.—
Amy DeYoung,
USA Today,
28 May 2026
Noun
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What the poll cannot quite capture is the exhaustion driving those beliefs.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
2 June 2026
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What happened when exhaustion appeared?—
Irma Davarashvili,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2026
Noun
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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
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Patrons — many just as panicked and some in a drunken stupor — ran by her.—
Emiliano Tahui Gómez,
Austin American Statesman,
8 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Faith Hinitt bought her first home in June 2023 in England, yet began experiencing symptoms like an itchy rash on her chest, night sweats, fatigue and more, according to Kennedy News & Media.—
Lexi Lane,
PEOPLE,
6 June 2026
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Designed to reduce fatigue on long-haul flights Bombardier is also highlighting the aircraft’s cabin environment as a key part of the Global 8000’s appeal.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
6 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Listlessness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/listlessness. Accessed 8 Jun. 2026.
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