SPIRITLESS Synonyms: 64 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'spiritless' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of spiritless are lackadaisical , languid , languorous , and listless . While all these words mean "lacking energy or enthusiasm," spiritless refers to a lack of animation or vigor that gives one's actions and words life. // a spiritless recital of the poem

Q: When might 'lackadaisical' be a better fit than 'spiritless'?

In some situations, the words lackadaisical and spiritless are roughly equivalent. However, lackadaisical implies a carefree indifference marked by half-hearted efforts. // lackadaisical college seniors pretending to study

Q: When can 'languid' be used instead of 'spiritless'?

The words languid and spiritless 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

Q: When could 'languorous' be used to replace 'spiritless'?

The words languorous and spiritless can be used in similar contexts, but languorous suggests a dreamy boredom and delicacy that avoids unnecessary activity. // languorous cats lying in the sun

Q: In what contexts can 'listless' take the place of 'spiritless'?

Although the words listless and spiritless have much in common, 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

spiritless

adjective

ˈspir-ət-ləs

Definition of spiritless

as in listless

lacking bodily energy or motivation he was spiritless and depressed for weeks after being fired

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective spiritless differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of spiritless are lackadaisical, languid, languorous, and listless. While all these words mean "lacking energy or enthusiasm," spiritless refers to a lack of animation or vigor that gives one's actions and words life.

a spiritless recital of the poem

When might lackadaisical be a better fit than spiritless?

In some situations, the words lackadaisical and spiritless are roughly equivalent. However, lackadaisical implies a carefree indifference marked by half-hearted efforts.

lackadaisical college seniors pretending to study

When can languid be used instead of spiritless?

The words languid and spiritless 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 could languorous be used to replace spiritless?

The words languorous and spiritless can be used in similar contexts, but languorous suggests a dreamy boredom and delicacy that avoids unnecessary activity.

languorous cats lying in the sun

In what contexts can listless take the place of spiritless?

Although the words listless and spiritless have much in common, 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

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 spiritless 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, 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 The Senators looked spiritless days ago in their building Saturday night ahead of Game 4. — Julian McKenzie, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025 Amid the spiritless spirits and a bevy of alcohol-free wines, ciders, and beers, luxury sparkling teas are comfortably the most exciting emerging trend in the low and no-alcohol sphere. — Camille Berry, Vogue, 29 Apr. 2025 Dance sections lacked charm; lyric passages were spiritless; the klezmer episodes in the third movement were strictly goyish. — Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 9 Dec. 2024

Recent Examples of Synonyms for spiritless

Adjective

But the maneuver failed to budge Comcast’s listless stock, which has languished for years as its primary business lost thousands of broadband customers.

— Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2026
The length exacerbates all the rest of the series' sins, including a lack of emotional depth, gratuitous suffering and violence, long stretches of boring, listless plotting and extraneous characters.

— Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 4 June 2026

Definition of listless

Adjective

The brand is winning over tired consumers who already reach for something sweet before bed by combining the comfort of a late-night treat with ingredients designed to support a better sleep routine.

— Lauren Jarvis-Gibson July 17, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 July 2026
Some get the number of dollars tied to their age (this used to be the case for Ollie and his brother, Owen, until their mom, Rebecca, got tired of them fighting over their disparate payouts) and others much more.

— Erika Janes, Curbed, 17 July 2026

Definition of tired

Adjective

In the interest of not having to rehash the now-familiar back and forth, Ibrahimović stated that Lalas’ criticism of the French squad’s lackadaisical first-half efforts was rooted in ignorance, this despite the fact that his beef should have been directed at match analyst Landon Donovan.

— Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 24 June 2026
Allowing Towns and others the opportunity to help create on offense may help Brunson avoid some lackadaisical passing and silly fouls.

— Tom Rende, Forbes.com, 10 June 2026

Definition of lackadaisical

Adjective

But despite growing international demand for Chinese goods, domestic consumption remains a critical weak spot in the nation’s economic development.

— Stephanie Yang, CNN Money, 15 July 2026
The stock plunged 25% for its worst day on record after issuing weak preliminary results for the second quarter.

— Alex Harring, CNBC, 15 July 2026

Definition of weak

Adjective

Hull testified that Robinson later returned in different clothing, walking with a limp, rolled onto the roof of a building on campus and crawled to the edge of the rooftop around the time the shot was fired.

— N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 10 July 2026
Pulisic tried to run it off, but with a clear limp, Pochettino sent in Sebastian Berhalter instead.

— Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 7 July 2026

Definition of limp

Adjective

June is one of the best months to visit, with long, languid days and comfortable temperatures.

— Helen Iatrou, Travel + Leisure, 11 July 2026
Their nominal wide players aren’t explosive wingers who sprint 50 yards in five seconds, but more languid players who like drifting infield and playing passing combinations.

— Michael Cox, New York Times, 4 July 2026

Definition of languid

Adjective

Adorned with almost graphically violent labels showcasing alpha predators -- a shark, a grizzly, an orca, a lion and some sort of particularly angry bird of prey -- the bottles are a far cry from the placid villas and languorous ladies plastered across so many wines.

— ABC News, ABC News, 22 June 2026
Their first statement signing to launch the project was the €42m purchase of the lanky and languorous Argentine playmaker.

— James Horncastle, New York Times, 2 June 2026

Definition of languorous

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spiritists

spiritless

spiritlessly

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“Spiritless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spiritless. Accessed 19 Jul. 2026.

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