as in tired
lacking bodily energy or motivation
when I had the flu, I felt listless and worn-out
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of listless
Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 28 Mar. 2026
The sort of listless displays that make supporters groan before halftime.
—Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 Mar. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for listless
Adjective
The Guards cracked down on the centrist Reformist faction in the aftermath of the January massacre, arresting many of its leaders, leaving it largely listless.
—Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 28 Mar. 2026
The sort of listless displays that make supporters groan before halftime.
—Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 Mar. 2026
Noun
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
See All Example Sentences for listless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for listless
Adjective
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However, his attempts to introduce a more aggressive man-for-man pressing style also place higher physical demands on already tired players.—
Cerys Jones,
New York Times,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Even the film’s critic-defying, pinky-swearing fanbase may be disappointed in the barebones production, jarring plotting, tired dialogue and ham-handed staging.—
Frank Rizzo,
Variety,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Italian nonne stirred pots full of sauce with a look of utter boredom and, here and there, Neapolitan ragazzi sat atop their motorini and gawped at the torture.—
Douglas Stuart,
New Yorker,
12 Apr. 2026
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In some cases, however, there’s more to a creeping sense of boredom than just stability.—
Jenna Ryu,
SELF,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Symptoms depend on the patient, but MS can cause muscle weakness, vision changes, walking problems, numbness, and more.—
Allison DeGrushe,
StyleCaster,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Verdad Advisers Dan Rasmussen Additionally, a deeper concern for investors is that the current episode is exposing structural weaknesses in the private market model itself.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
20 Apr. 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
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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
Noun
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The situation is also an opportunity for NASA to resume the kind of risk-taking that has been lacking to shake the agency out of a post-space-shuttle lethargy and to reignite passions for reaching a stretch goal under deadline pressure.—
Thomas Black,
Mercury News,
24 Apr. 2026
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Those include decreased urination, lethargy or inability to keep fluids down.—
Melissa Rudy,
FOXNews.com,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
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When John begins spitting out his food, his mother, Heather (Shirley Henderson), worn down by exhaustion and anger, banishes him from the dinner table—the first in an unceasing series of maternal rejections.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
17 Apr. 2026
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Sepideh Moafi is incredible in this scene, perfectly hitting every note of the anger, fear, and exhaustion Al-Hashimi is feeling.—
Maggie Fremont,
Vulture,
17 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Feeling a little funky, exhausted or sore can happen for a number of reasons, including perimenopause and menopause.—
Helen Carefoot,
Flow Space,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Tranquility notwithstanding, Suriel was exhausted.—
Max Klaver,
Miami Herald,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
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
Cite this Entry
“Listless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/listless. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.
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