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Definition of listlessnext

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective listless differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of listless are lackadaisical, languid, languorous, and spiritless. While all these words mean "lacking energy or enthusiasm," listless suggests a lack of interest caused by physical weakness or dissatisfied boredom.

listless hospital patients
listless children flipping through picture books on a rainy day

When can lackadaisical be used instead of listless?

While the synonyms lackadaisical and listless are close in meaning, lackadaisical implies a carefree indifference marked by half-hearted efforts.

lackadaisical college seniors pretending to study

When might languid be a better fit than listless?

The words languid and listless are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, languid refers to an unwillingness or inability to exert oneself due to fatigue or physical weakness.

was depressed and languid for weeks after surgery

When is it sensible to use languorous instead of listless?

The words languorous and listless can be used in similar contexts, but languorous suggests a dreamy boredom and delicacy that avoids unnecessary activity.

languorous cats lying in the sun

When would spiritless be a good substitute for listless?

Although the words spiritless and listless have much in common, spiritless refers to a lack of animation or vigor that gives one's actions and words life.

a spiritless recital of the poem

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 listless Or all of this could mean nothing, and BYU will bounce back against a listless TCU team that doesn’t have a lot to play for. Jim Barnes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Nov. 2025 After Mississippi State opened the game with one of the afternoon's few listless possessions, Texas sent Wingo in motion behind Manning and the receiver caught a quick pass, slipped away from three defenders and was tackled just short of the end zone, at the 3-yard line. Danny Davis, Austin American Statesman, 14 Nov. 2025 The window to stash Reed has opened with the dynamic playmaker possibly returning by the end of the month, and Green Bay offense looking listless the last two games against the Panthers and Eagles. Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Nov. 2025 In total, the men would spend 144 days aboard the listless vessel, until they were rescued June 15 by a Japanese fishing ship about 700 miles from Honolulu and 4,000 miles from Costa Rica. Virginia Chamlee, PEOPLE, 3 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for listless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for listless
Adjective
  • The first turned a fourth-quarter fumble into a 59-yard score when Achane burst through a tired, and seemingly defeated Buffalo defensive front and outsprinted the Bills’ entire secondary to the end zone.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 9 Nov. 2025
  • But that feels like a tired, outdated characterisation.
    Oliver Kay, New York Times, 8 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • The Chiefs turned that spiritless first half into a 28-7 blowout Monday night against the Commanders, opening the second half with touchdown drives of 80, 75 and 94 yards.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 28 Oct. 2025
  • From spiritless spirits to refusing to open up a bar tab, members of Generation Z are continuing to challenge alcohol traditions.
    Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 6 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Two shivering dogs now sat in her backseat, exhausted but safe.
    Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 7 Nov. 2025
  • Surely that has increasing resonance among the politically exhausted and spiritually disenchanted.
    Abby McCloskey, Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • Video captured it all, down to the motorist going limp and the vehicle crashing down the street.
    Jakob Rodgers, Mercury News, 9 Jan. 2026
  • DeSantis has offered a few limp rationalizations for his demand, but nothing that would overcome the sheer gall of this re-write of the rules.
    Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • There’s a sanguine sweetness to the proceedings, and a lackadaisical approach to dry joke delivery that sort of resembles Wes Anderson’s stop-motion work like The Fantastic Mr. Fox (and to a lesser degree his live-action movies).
    Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 22 Oct. 2025
  • However the United Farmworkers Union has contended that staff shortages and lackadaisical management prevent the state Division of Occupational Safety and Health, better known as Cal/OSHA, from effectively enforcing those rules, leading to workers’ debilitating conditions and even death.
    Dan Walters, Mercury News, 3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Signs to treat fevers include being unusually sleepy, cranky and refusing food and drinks.
    Erika Edwards, NBC news, 6 Nov. 2025
  • Trancoso, Bahia The opening of Uxua Casa Hotel & Spa in 2009 transformed the sleepy fishing village of Trancoso into a boho-chic hot spot.
    Maya Kachroo-Levine, Travel + Leisure, 5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • The season-two footage that’s been released teases its languid pace and warm, inviting environments all over again — much of season one was spent tracking Frieren’s slow gait through the natural world — punctuated by moments of magical action.
    Eric Vilas-Boas, Vulture, 1 Jan. 2026
  • Just around the bend was an entire tangle of them—mothers with babies, juveniles mock-charging each other, a languid patriarch on his back.
    Matt Ortile, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Dec. 2025
Adjective
  • The album took soul and gospel cues from his first record and extended them into languorous jams.
    Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 14 Oct. 2025
  • As the days grow shorter and darker, and temperatures drop, there’s nothing quite like knowing there’s a warm, welcoming bed awaiting you at home to usher in a cozy night’s sleep, and long, languorous mornings when time allows.
    Hannah Coates, Vogue, 2 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Listless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/listless. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.

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Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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