Synonym Chooser

How does the noun lassitude contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of lassitude are languor, lethargy, stupor, and torpor. While all these words mean "physical or mental inertness," lassitude stresses listlessness or indifference resulting from fatigue or poor health.

a depression marked by lassitude

Where would languor be a reasonable alternative to lassitude?

Although the words languor and lassitude have much in common, languor suggests inertia induced by an enervating climate or illness or love.

languor induced by a tropical vacation

When could lethargy be used to replace lassitude?

The words lethargy and lassitude can be used in similar contexts, but lethargy implies such drowsiness or aversion to activity as is induced by disease, injury, or drugs.

months of lethargy followed my accident

When might stupor be a better fit than lassitude?

While the synonyms stupor and lassitude are close in meaning, stupor implies a deadening of the mind and senses by shock, narcotics, or intoxicants.

lapsed into an alcoholic stupor

When would torpor be a good substitute for lassitude?

In some situations, the words torpor and lassitude are roughly equivalent. However, 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

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 lassitude Men struggled to defeat lassitude and depression. Alex Kershaw, WSJ, 7 Sep. 2022 Most of the youthful actors give performances of a startling lassitude, although, to be charitable, that may be the fault of the plot—specifically, of the Blue, a nasty drink, vaguely reminiscent of toilet cleaner, which all the growing kids are required to swig. Anthony Lane, The New Yorker, 16 Apr. 2021 Founded by LeRoi Jones (no relation), who combined immense talent, critical acumen, and, after being brutalized by the police, a rusty shank of disdain for the lassitude of white America, the movement advanced the idea that white people’s approval was beside the point. Calvin Baker, The Atlantic, 2 Aug. 2020 Rather than solely signifying the cursed lassitude of middle-aged masculinity, the term can also gesture at something both self-conscious and fashionably nostalgic. Phillip MacIak, The New Republic, 27 June 2022 See all Example Sentences for lassitude 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lassitude
Noun
  • The fires have left Mayorga with a painful mix of anxiety, depression and exhaustion.
    Brittny Mejia, Los Angeles Times, 14 Jan. 2025
  • And burnout isn’t just a trendy buzzword; this is a very real, very draining state of exhaustion that dims your spark.
    Ankur Bindal, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Without it, dogs can develop chronic boredom, which may escalate into depression or anxiety.
    Michael Gfoeller And David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 15 Jan. 2025
  • The plan should include a mix of cardio, strength training and flexibility exercises, with a gradual increase in intensity and variety to prevent boredom and injuries.
    Tor Constantino, MBA, Forbes, 7 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Woll showing signs of fatigue This isn’t a surprise given Woll entered this season having played just 36 regular-season games in the NHL.
    James Mirtle, The Athletic, 17 Jan. 2025
  • In a landscape of dating app fatigue and romance scams, the anachronistic-seeming personals section — which is thriving in Vermont — can look like the way of the dating future.
    Wendy Lu, New York Times, 16 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Skin exposure to tea tree oil, a common essential oil, can cause vomiting, lethargy, tremors, or allergic reactions.
    Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Jan. 2025
  • The hosts trailed 20-8 when Dutcher made his hands into a T … and responded with a 40-4 run to turn catastrophe into celebration, lethargy into laugher.
    Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Symptoms of severe illness include high fever, severe headache, neck stiffness, disorientation, stupor, tremors, seizures, paralysis, or coma.
    Marley Malenfant, Austin American-Statesman, 4 Sep. 2024
  • First, there was the chest-down, sort of squaring-up motion that drunkards do to bouncers, to be followed by a strike which could not even be conceived of in drunken stupors.
    Simon Johnson, The Athletic, 30 June 2024
Noun
  • Eastwood stars in both, and both suffer from some of the late-career languors that started to creep into his movies after a certain point, mostly due to a tendency to let dialogue scenes play on and on without much regard to rhythm or pace.
    Keith Phipps, Vulture, 1 Nov. 2024
  • That there was this kind of languor, a little bit of maturity.
    Lauren Huff, EW.com, 12 Sep. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near lassitude

Cite this Entry

“Lassitude.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lassitude. Accessed 23 Jan. 2025.

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