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 The soup throwers and activists blindfolding statues hope to wake us from our climate stupor. Marianne Krasny, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025 The dessert in question is a gorgeous, tiered, scarlet confection that is dosed with enough medicine to send everyone who eats it into a sleeping stupor in about two hours. Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 13 May 2025 At the end, Leo awakes from his stupor to voice his objections. Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 9 Apr. 2025 Hours later, as the commanders slept at home in a medicated stupor, the handmaids spread out all over with the intent of killing Gilead’s leaders in their sleep. Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 16 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for stupor
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stupor
Noun
  • For some, the stakes are high; for others, this is content to be consumed in a moment of boredom.
    Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 30 July 2025
  • However, without enough structured activity, the breed can become restless and turn to destructive behaviors out of boredom.
    Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 July 2025
Noun
  • People experiencing more severe infections may also suffer high fever, aches, headaches, lethargy, rashes and blood in their urine.
    Matthew Robinson, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Aug. 2025
  • Foods high in the amino acid tryptophan (like milk, turkey, chicken, lobster, and certain types of nuts) can also increase lethargy, according to Dr. Ganjhu.
    Caroline Tien, SELF, 6 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • And the torpor is reflected in DraftKings’ NBA title odds for next season, as of Wednesday.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 3 July 2025
  • In the mid-to-late ’70s, when New York was sunk into the torpor of potential economic ruin, the city was fabled in another way.
    Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 21 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Stupor.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stupor. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.

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