: characterized by lack of interest, energy, or spirit
a listless melancholy attitude
listlessly
adverb
listlessness
noun
Synonyms
Examples of listless in a Sentence
He became listless, answered in monosyllables, gurgled, drank a great deal of whisky, and looked with hateful eyes at everyone.
—
Isaiah Berlin, New York Times Book Review, 12 Apr. 1987
She looked up and saw everyone starting his work. She took out a piece of paper, feeling listless and bored as she did.
—Louise Fitzhugh, Harriet the Spy, 1964
His blue eyes had lost their colour; they had a listless droop; and his mouth, losing the fulness of youth, was weak and pale.
—W. Somerset Maugham, Of Human Bondage, 1915
Her pretty face was wan and listless, her hair uncurled—some locks hanging lankly down, and some carelessly twisted round her head.
—Emily Brontë, Wuthering Heights, 1847
The heat made everyone tired and listless.
The party was a listless affair.
Isaiah Berlin, New York Times Book Review, 12 Apr. 1987
She looked up and saw everyone starting his work. She took out a piece of paper, feeling listless and bored as she did.
—Louise Fitzhugh, Harriet the Spy, 1964
His blue eyes had lost their colour; they had a listless droop; and his mouth, losing the fulness of youth, was weak and pale.
—W. Somerset Maugham, Of Human Bondage, 1915
Her pretty face was wan and listless, her hair uncurled—some locks hanging lankly down, and some carelessly twisted round her head.
—Emily Brontë, Wuthering Heights, 1847
The heat made everyone tired and listless.
The party was a listless affair.
Recent Examples on the Web
Bruins safety Bryan Addison, who had walloped Oregon receiver Terrance Ferguson on an incomplete pass earlier in the second quarter, stepped in front of a Gabriel pass and returned the interception 96 yards for a touchdown that injected some life into a listless crowd.
—Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 29 Sep. 2024
One Friday, though, Fido seemed strangely listless, so Ford went quickly to the vet.
—Mark Ellwood, Robb Report, 13 Oct. 2024
The few young reservists encountered in Beirut appeared listless and demoralized; some openly cried.
—Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2024
The attacks have left the militant group listless and largely unable to respond effectively.
—Brady Knox, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 29 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for listless 
Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 29 Sep. 2024
One Friday, though, Fido seemed strangely listless, so Ford went quickly to the vet.
—Mark Ellwood, Robb Report, 13 Oct. 2024
The few young reservists encountered in Beirut appeared listless and demoralized; some openly cried.
—Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2024
The attacks have left the militant group listless and largely unable to respond effectively.
—Brady Knox, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 29 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for listless
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'listless.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near listless
Cite this Entry
“Listless.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/listless. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
listless
adjective
list·less
ˈlist-ləs 
: too tired or too little interested to want to do things
listlessly
adverb
listlessness
noun
Etymology
Middle English listles "having a lack of desire to act or move," from earlier list "desire, liking"
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