Synonym Chooser

How does the noun torpor contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of torpor are languor, lassitude, lethargy, and stupor. While all these words mean "physical or mental inertness," 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

In what contexts can languor take the place of torpor?

The words languor and torpor are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, languor suggests inertia induced by an enervating climate or illness or love.

languor induced by a tropical vacation

When can lassitude be used instead of torpor?

While in some cases nearly identical to torpor, lassitude stresses listlessness or indifference resulting from fatigue or poor health.

a depression marked by lassitude

When would lethargy be a good substitute for torpor?

In some situations, the words lethargy and torpor 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 stupor a more appropriate choice than torpor?

While the synonyms stupor and torpor are close in meaning, stupor implies a deadening of the mind and senses by shock, narcotics, or intoxicants.

lapsed into an alcoholic stupor

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 torpor Amid the torpor of their burgeoning love, the corpses start to stack up. Chris Lee, Vulture, 22 Mar. 2024 The current two parties have been unable to deal with the resulting mounting debt and economic torpor. R. Glenn Hubbard, Foreign Affairs, 11 June 2013 But the tryptophan/carb combo is only part of the reason for your torpor. Nick Stockton, WIRED, 28 Nov. 2024 Throughout months of hibernation, these 2-3 week periods of torpor are interspersed with one or two day bouts of arousal. Lauren Leffer, Popular Science, 28 Nov. 2024 See All Example Sentences for torpor
Recent Examples of Synonyms for torpor
Noun
  • The recent dismissal of Carla Hayden, the first woman and first African American to serve as Librarian of Congress, signals a troubling disregard for the importance and neutrality of libraries.
    Linda Johnson, New York Daily News, 27 June 2025
  • To win a defamation case, California’s governor must show the statement was not just false, but made knowingly or with reckless disregard for the truth.
    Bethany Wales, Sacbee.com, 27 June 2025
Noun
  • Many animal behaviorists also warn the practice fails to address the root cause of excessive barking—often anxiety, boredom, or inadequate training.
    Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 June 2025
  • Factor 2: Antisocial behavior (e.g., deviance from an early age, aggression, impulsivity, irresponsibility, proneness to boredom).
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 26 June 2025
Noun
  • The first count is first-degree murder under an extreme indifference theory and the second count is first-degree murder with intent after deliberation.
    Jennifer McRae, CBS News, 30 June 2025
  • Soliman, a 45-year-old from Egypt, is now facing two first-degree murder charges – one for extreme indifference and the other with intent and after deliberation, the district attorney’s office said.
    Andi Babineau, CNN Money, 30 June 2025
Noun
  • Kota, the zoo's youngest male orangutan, started showing signs of lethargy and continued to decline despite efforts of zoo veterinary and animal care staff to administer care, the zoo said in the release.
    Harley Walls, Arkansas Online, 28 June 2025
  • But in January 2021, Hurley watched as her usually spunky youngest daughter began experiencing nose bleeds and prolonged bouts of lethargy.
    Johnny Dodd, People.com, 15 June 2025
Noun
  • 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

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Cite this Entry

“Torpor.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/torpor. Accessed 7 Jul. 2025.

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