as in tired
lacking bodily energy or motivation
when I had the flu, I felt listless and worn-out
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 12 Mar. 2026
Nikita Kucherov had three assists in a four-goal first period and added another in the third to give him 100 points on the season as the Tampa Bay Lightning cruised past the listless Toronto Maple Leafs 5-2 on Saturday night.
—ABC News, 7 Mar. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for listless
Adjective
Just a few hours before his lineup looked listless and his management betrayed a lack of urgency, DeRosa also fondly regaled the media with an account of how late his team stayed in the clubhouse drinking and celebrating their win the night before.
—Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 12 Mar. 2026
Nikita Kucherov had three assists in a four-goal first period and added another in the third to give him 100 points on the season as the Tampa Bay Lightning cruised past the listless Toronto Maple Leafs 5-2 on Saturday night.
—ABC News, 7 Mar. 2026
Noun
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
See All Example Sentences for listless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for listless
Adjective
-
For workers who are tired of their jobs following them home every night, and for businesses that are tired of the burnout, the turnover, and the chaos that comes from not having boundaries, Zenzap is the work chat app that changes everything.—
Jason Phillips,
USA Today,
1 Apr. 2026
-
One still gets tired of the Wednesday rice and fish dish.—
Jeremy O. Harris,
Vanity Fair,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The design was inspired by the hair-tearing boredom of COVID lockdown-era remote work, a time in which Knafs founder Ben Petersen maintained sanity during Zoom calls by fidgeting around with pocket knives and doodling pictures.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Throughout all of human history, boredom was just part of life.—
Arthur C. Brooks
March 22,
CBS News,
22 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
If not treated early, the infection can progress to more serious symptoms, such as joint swelling and arthritis, nerve pain, tingling or numbness, facial muscle weakness, heart inflammation and difficulties with memory or concentration.—
Emily Bache,
The Conversation,
31 Mar. 2026
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To play for Hurley is to understand that taking a play off is not acceptable, that bending over and tugging at your short hems – a sure sign, in Hurley’s estimation, of weakness – will earn you either a death stare or a run up the steps.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
30 Mar. 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 Simpson Family The doctor said the time when a sinus infection becomes an emergency is when symptoms are changing rapidly, such as severe headaches, confusion, lethargy, decreased appetite and seizures.—
Jenna DeAngelis,
CBS News,
20 Mar. 2026
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Common endocarditis symptoms include fever, lethargy, fast heart rate or pulmonary symptoms such as a cough or shortness of breath.—
Emily Brindley
Health Reporter,
Dallas Morning News,
19 Mar. 2026
Noun
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With the help of journalist Gerrick Kennedy, the memoir details Brandy's meteoric rise to fame as a young teen while volleying ambition, exhaustion and self-doubt, moving through a predatory and tormenting industry and being misunderstood in the public eye.—
Taijuan Moorman,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2026
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Investors should be wary given the bearish technical catalysts in former leaders like TSM and signs of long-term upside exhaustion across the sector.—
Katie Stockton,
CNBC,
30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Taylor was discharged after four days, weak and exhausted but out of the woods.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
3 Apr. 2026
-
What is exhausted is repetition without thought.—
Manuela Moscoso,
Artforum,
2 Apr. 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
Cite this Entry
“Listless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/listless. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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