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 The Kaufman-esque sequence that chases an ever-balding Mike through his movie roles and towards his destiny is great fun to watch, but ultimately calls our attention to the relative torpor that surrounds it. David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 7 Sep. 2025 Binging pasta might lead to a stomach ache and terrible torpor the next morning. Big Think, 3 Sep. 2025 And the torpor is reflected in DraftKings’ NBA title odds for next season, as of Wednesday. Miami Herald, 3 July 2025 All torpor blown by missing too much. Literary Hub, 24 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for torpor
Recent Examples of Synonyms for torpor
Noun
  • And this misapplication, whether through inappropriate comparisons and limited context, or a disregard for methodological boundaries, risks undermining both consumer and stakeholder trust in sustainability claims and data integrity—and misleading investments and interventions.
    Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 13 Oct. 2025
  • In March 2024, Karen was arrested and charged with a DUI and DWI, negligently driving a vehicle in a careless and imprudent manner endangering property, life, and person, as well as recklessly driving a vehicle in wanton and willful disregard for the safety of persons and property.
    Liza Esquibias, PEOPLE, 10 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Because her motivations seem much more complicated than mere boredom in your adaptation.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 Oct. 2025
  • Goldman Sachs last month had its busiest IPO week since July 2021, when pandemic boredom fueled a listings binge, not all of it healthy.
    Rohan Goswami, semafor.com, 9 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Because the results came with an all-too-familiar indifference from her doctor.
    Megan Feringa, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
  • Corigliano wrote his symphony in the late nineteen-eighties, to lament friends who had died of AIDS and to decry indifference to those deaths.
    Alex Ross, New Yorker, 6 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Infections may also bring respiratory symptoms like sneezing and lethargy.
    Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Oct. 2025
  • My friend points to her husband’s lethargy as a sign of illness, though neither of them detected it at the time.
    Harriette Cole, Mercury News, 30 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The cilantro is key because its chlorophyllic sharpness slaps the stupor out of the starchy beans.
    Nina Moskowitz, Bon Appetit Magazine, 5 Oct. 2025
  • Symptoms of the more serious illness include high fever, headache, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, vision loss, numbness and paralysis, according to the CDC.
    Madeline Heim, jsonline.com, 1 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Torpor.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/torpor. Accessed 16 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on torpor

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