Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective languorous differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of languorous are lackadaisical, languid, listless, and spiritless. While all these words mean "lacking energy or enthusiasm," languorous suggests a dreamy boredom and delicacy that avoids unnecessary activity.

languorous cats lying in the sun

When is it sensible to use lackadaisical instead of languorous?

In some situations, the words lackadaisical and languorous are roughly equivalent. However, lackadaisical implies a carefree indifference marked by half-hearted efforts.

lackadaisical college seniors pretending to study

When can languid be used instead of languorous?

The synonyms languid and languorous are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 would listless be a good substitute for languorous?

While in some cases nearly identical to languorous, 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

In what contexts can spiritless take the place of languorous?

The meanings of spiritless and languorous largely overlap; however, spiritless refers to a lack of animation or vigor that gives one's actions and words life.

a spiritless recital of the poem

Examples 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 languorous Five Centimeters per Second, as its narrators tell us, is the speed at which cherry blossom petals drift down to the earth from trees — the idea being that like first loves, their descent can be beautiful, languorous, and highly unpredictable. Eric Vilas-Boas, Vulture, 1 Apr. 2024 Turgenev would spend the rest of his life either in close proximity to Pauline or wishing for it, following her and Louis to Paris and London, often living near them and spending long, languorous days in their company. Jerrold Seigel, Foreign Affairs, 11 Aug. 2020 Not to mention that the movie’s languorous, muted-velvet color palette is a plushy pleasure unto itself. Stephanie Zacharek, TIME, 24 May 2024 The film, with its hazy aesthetic and languorous pacing, operates like a memory. Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for languorous 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for languorous
Adjective
  • The pace is languid, but the tension builds rapidly, aided by Louise’s increasing desperation and a pack of angry dogs.
    Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 17 Sep. 2024
  • There exists a long history of the dying muse, beautiful, feverish, and doomed: In 1852, the artist’s model Elizabeth Siddal posed as Hamlet’s Ophelia for the pre-Raphaelites, her languid sickliness attributed to tuberculosis by her peers.
    Rhian Sasseen, The Atlantic, 14 Oct. 2024
Adjective
  • The fishermen reported the turtle to wildlife authorities, who rescued the listless turtle and transported her to the Vancouver Aquarium Marine Mammal Rescue Society.
    Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Nov. 2024
  • The green takeover was inspired by fan-cams that emerged in the listless days following Biden’s debate fumble.
    Zoe Guy, Vulture, 23 July 2024
Adjective
  • Again, the lackadaisical approach doesn’t work for everyone.
    Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 18 Oct. 2024
  • There is no skipping steps, no forgiving young players for lackadaisical plays simply because of their lack of experience.
    Mat Issa, Forbes, 30 Sep. 2024
Adjective
  • In difficult listening situations, participants described feeling physically and mentally tired.
    Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, Discover Magazine, 5 Nov. 2024
  • But towards the end of the day, when everyone is sufficiently tired out, Webb says there's nothing better than sitting down and winding down together.
    Alyce Collins, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • Yet the club dropped the contest in spiritless fashion, 6-2.
    Julian McWilliams, BostonGlobe.com, 12 Aug. 2023
  • Lil Wayne is not tolerating spiritless crowds at his shows.
    Daniela Avila, Peoplemag, 15 May 2023
Adjective
  • David believes this is just her exhausted mind playing tricks, attributing it to postpartum depression, stress, and fatigue.
    Matt Grobar, Deadline, 5 Nov. 2024
  • This means that athletes can train longer before becoming exhausted.
    Maria Berentzen, Vogue, 30 Oct. 2024
Adjective
  • So wash your legs and get your tickets, because sleepy bitches don’t get to go to fun reunions.
    Anne Victoria Clark, Vulture, 12 Nov. 2024
  • Continue reading to learn more about Telluride, Deer Valley, and the other sleepy ski towns making a stir in the western states.
    Madeline Fitzgerald, Quartz, 4 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • The prosecutor said Penny hung onto Neely for 51 seconds after Neely's body went limp.
    Kiara Alfonseca, ABC News, 1 Nov. 2024
  • Penny ultimately released Neely nearly a minute after his body went limp, prosecutors said.
    Jennifer Peltz, Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near languorous

Cite this Entry

“Languorous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/languorous. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on languorous

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