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 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 Yet the club dropped the contest in spiritless fashion, 6-2. Julian McWilliams, BostonGlobe.com, 12 Aug. 2023 Lil Wayne is not tolerating spiritless crowds at his shows. Daniela Avila, Peoplemag, 15 May 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spiritless
Adjective
  • Ohtani—the Dodgers’ 10-year, $700 million man—came into the game with one hit in the best-of-seven series against the listless Milwaukee Brewers, who now trail 3-0 after losing, 3-1, at Dodger Stadium Thursday night.
    Barry M. Bloom, Sportico.com, 17 Oct. 2025
  • The Broncos were at the listless, rudderless end of The Bowlen Trust Years.
    Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 15 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • There isn’t an obvious replacement, but fans are tired and want something else.
    Chris Vannini, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2025
  • Her recipe is simple, elegant, and designed to keep the party going without anyone leaving jittery or tired.
    Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • However the United Farmworkers Union has contended that staff shortages and lackadaisical management prevent the state Division of Occupational Safety and Health, better known as Cal/OSHA, from effectively enforcing those rules, leading to workers’ debilitating conditions and even death.
    Dan Walters, Mercury News, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Those helped speed up gentrification by attracting wealthy mainland investors with tax incentives and the PROMESA Act by President Obama in 2016, as well as the lackadaisical response by President Trump’s government during and after Hurricane Maria in 2017.
    Angel Diaz, Billboard, 1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The traditional growth playbook for telecom is exhausted.
    Astha Bhardwaj, Fortune, 25 Oct. 2025
  • White disappears completely into the role without skirting parody, portraying the exhausted hitmaker as startled by his own numbness, blanked out and unsure of what to do next.
    Sadie Sartini Garner, Pitchfork, 24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Relief on that levy—which stacks on top of Liberation Day tariffs—could be a boon for the Asian nation at a time when domestic demand is weak.
    Bloomberg, Fortune, 27 Oct. 2025
  • There, interactions between streams of liquid iron generate a magnetic field one quintillion times more powerful than that of an ordinary lab magnet (but thousands of times weaker than the Sun’s).
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 27 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • First responders found Campbell, limp, pale and unresponsive in Kurek's vehicle.
    Adrienne Davis, jsonline.com, 23 Oct. 2025
  • Always check soil moisture before watering; overwatering is a common cause of limp leaves and root rot.
    Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Her voice, languid and honeyed, can glide over sensual R&B, bouncing reggaetón, shimmering pop or nostalgic jazz.
    Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 16 Oct. 2025
  • One-sided, slightly tipping top-handle bags emerged as well as mesh and net bags, also supporting the more languid fluid rtw looks.
    Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The album took soul and gospel cues from his first record and extended them into languorous jams.
    Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 14 Oct. 2025
  • As the days grow shorter and darker, and temperatures drop, there’s nothing quite like knowing there’s a warm, welcoming bed awaiting you at home to usher in a cozy night’s sleep, and long, languorous mornings when time allows.
    Hannah Coates, Vogue, 2 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Spiritless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spiritless. Accessed 28 Oct. 2025.

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