1
as in disregard
lack of interest or concern
after a lifetime of setbacks, defeats, and failures, he could only greet the latest bad news with a resigned fatalism and dull torpor
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in boredom
physical or mental inertness
following a gut-busting Thanksgiving dinner, we spent the rest of the day lounging about in a contented torpor
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of torpor
In the wild, hamsters dig burrows with deep tunnels and multiple entrances for protection and to sleep during bouts of torpor.
—
Noel Kirkpatrick, Treehugger, 20 Jan. 2026
The only people for whom this situation isn’t terrifying are us, the audience, who feel nothing but the purgatorial torpor of sitting through a movie that’s too afraid of its own concept to do anything truly provocative with it.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 13 Nov. 2025
Though the idiom of abuse has changed, the critics are as hostile as ever, while their targets react only with curious torpor.
—David Wingrave, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
As for Farrell, rarely has a pathological abdication of responsibility been so uncannily conveyed; he’s well matched by his The Beguiled co-star, Nicole Kidman, who cuts through the body-snatcher torpor of the material with her growing rage and panic.
—A.a. Dowd, Vulture, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for torpor
Noel Kirkpatrick, Treehugger, 20 Jan. 2026
The only people for whom this situation isn’t terrifying are us, the audience, who feel nothing but the purgatorial torpor of sitting through a movie that’s too afraid of its own concept to do anything truly provocative with it.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 13 Nov. 2025
Though the idiom of abuse has changed, the critics are as hostile as ever, while their targets react only with curious torpor.
—David Wingrave, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
As for Farrell, rarely has a pathological abdication of responsibility been so uncannily conveyed; he’s well matched by his The Beguiled co-star, Nicole Kidman, who cuts through the body-snatcher torpor of the material with her growing rage and panic.
—A.a. Dowd, Vulture, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for torpor
Recent Examples of Synonyms for torpor
Noun
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Cronin, the plaintiff’s attorney, said in an interview that Abbott showed disregard for the health and safety of premature babies participating in the AL16 clinical trial.—
David Hilzenrath,
USA Today,
29 Mar. 2026
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On this first point, the jury ruled in favor of both Marta and Marija, finding that Goodenbour had either intended to cause the twins harm or had acted with reckless disregard for their well-being.—
Julia Haney,
NPR,
28 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Cats may also climb due to boredom, excess energy, stress, or a need to escape from people or other pets.—
Maria Azzurra Volpe,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Apr. 2026
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Caldwell carried a walkie-talkie to stay in touch with Ingrid, whose boredom in the van had been vigorously articulated across the airwaves.—
Namir Khaliq,
Big Think,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
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This moment was a turning point for him — despite his past indifference toward settling down, fatherhood changed him completely.—
Jane LaCroix,
PEOPLE,
31 Mar. 2026
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Would a cyberattack that kills people finally shake us out of our indifference?—
Neil J. Rubenking,
PC Magazine,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Officers on the scene noted clear signs of impairment, notably lethargy, bloodshot eyes, and difficulty with sobriety tests, despite a breathalyzer showing no alcohol.—
Rowan Fisher-Shotton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
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The Simpson Family The doctor said the time when a sinus infection becomes an emergency is when symptoms are changing rapidly, such as severe headaches, confusion, lethargy, decreased appetite and seizures.—
Jenna DeAngelis,
CBS News,
20 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Their apps seem clearly designed, much like TikTok and Candy Crush, to keep users scrolling and tapping in a hypnotic stupor.—
McKay Coppins,
The Atlantic,
12 Mar. 2026
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Patrons — many just as panicked and some in a drunken stupor — ran by her.—
Emiliano Tahui Gómez,
Austin American Statesman,
8 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Torpor.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/torpor. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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