as in boredom
physical or mental inertness shocked by news of impending layoffs, the workers shuffled through their shift in a quiet stupor

Synonyms & Similar Words

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How does the noun stupor contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of stupor are languor, lassitude, lethargy, and torpor. While all these words mean "physical or mental inertness," stupor implies a deadening of the mind and senses by shock, narcotics, or intoxicants.

lapsed into an alcoholic stupor

When is languor a more appropriate choice than stupor?

The words languor and stupor can be used in similar contexts, but languor suggests inertia induced by an enervating climate or illness or love.

languor induced by a tropical vacation

When would lassitude be a good substitute for stupor?

The synonyms lassitude and stupor are sometimes interchangeable, but lassitude stresses listlessness or indifference resulting from fatigue or poor health.

a depression marked by lassitude

Where would lethargy be a reasonable alternative to stupor?

In some situations, the words lethargy and stupor are roughly equivalent. However, lethargy implies such drowsiness or aversion to activity as is induced by disease, injury, or drugs.

months of lethargy followed my accident

When is it sensible to use torpor instead of stupor?

While the synonyms torpor and stupor are close in meaning, torpor implies a state of suspended animation as of hibernating animals but may suggest merely extreme sluggishness.

a once alert mind now in a torpor

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 stupor And that was done mostly wordlessly in a drugged stupor, so that was always going to be a challenge, not to just be the boring guy falling asleep. Sydney Bucksbaum, EW.com, 10 Mar. 2025 This routine also lulls even the multisig participants into a stupor, or a mindless clicking of buttons. Vipin Bharathan, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025 Slim, chiselled Tom wakes from his stupor, newly determined to prove his haters wrong. Vinson Cunningham, The New Yorker, 25 Jan. 2025 Symptoms of severe illness include high fever, severe headache, neck stiffness, disorientation, stupor, tremors, seizures, paralysis, or coma. Marley Malenfant, Austin American-Statesman, 4 Sep. 2024 See All Example Sentences for stupor
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stupor
Noun
  • Some people snack at night to cope with stress, boredom, or sadness.
    Johna Burdeos, Health, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Quotidian excursions to the post office or the bank can create valuable opportunities for boredom, too.
    The Learning Network, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Some of these symptoms include a high fever, lethargy, hearing loss, kidney failure, confusion, brain damage, learning disabilities, coma and possibly death.
    Daryl Austin, USA Today, 26 Apr. 2025
  • Common symptoms for domoic acid poisoning include lethargy, seizures, a bobbing and weaving of their heads and in some cases, aggression, Viezbicke said.
    Megan Forrester, ABC News, 2 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • There are many reasons why putting humans into torpor for long-duration spaceflight is a good idea.
    IEEE Spectrum, IEEE Spectrum, 15 Sep. 2016
  • His erotic energy jolts the community from its torpor.
    Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 21 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Stupor.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stupor. Accessed 3 May. 2025.

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