LISTLESS Synonyms: 64 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

listless

adjective

ˈlist-ləs

Definition of listless next

as in tired

lacking bodily energy or motivation when I had the flu, I felt listless and worn-out

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 Trump gained momentum and the Democrats seemed listless with an increasingly unpopular nominee at the top of the ticket in President Joe Biden. —

David Plazas, The Tennessean, 21 Aug. 2024 By the time the prosecution presented another version of the Vasquez video, broken into fourteen hundred and sixty-five frames, on PowerPoint slides, which show Penny and Neely’s struggle even more clearly, the jurors had begun to resemble listless schoolchildren. —

Adam Iscoe, The New Yorker, 9 Dec. 2024 Looking listless from the opening, the Sharks allowed five goals in the first period and never recovered in an unsightly 8-1 loss to the Lightning at Amalie Arena. —

Curtis Pashelka, The Mercury News, 5 Dec. 2024 Deji looked listless through the first two rounds before finding a spark in the third. —

Brian Mazique, Forbes, 28 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for listless

Recent Examples of Synonyms for listless

Adjective

Some women combat veterans and military experts say Hegseth's likely rise to Trump's cabinet has left them frustrated and exhausted and has revived tired, sexist arguments against their service.

— Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA TODAY, 18 Jan. 2025
The upstairs restaurant serves Italian classics with a twist, as well as couscous and dishes prepared in a wok, which can be a nice change for those tired of pizza and pasta.

— Gary Stoller, Forbes, 18 Jan. 2025