LANGUOROUS Synonyms: 64 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

languorous

adjective

ˈlaŋ-gə-rəs

Definition of languorous

as in languid

lacking bodily energy or motivation the drummer's languorous playing caused the rest of the band to keep missing the beat

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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

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 languorous Their first statement signing to launch the project was the €42m purchase of the lanky and languorous Argentine playmaker. — James Horncastle, New York Times, 2 June 2026 But, for those looking for something a bit more low-key with the languorous pace of the south, there’s always Puglia. — Angela Tafoya, Vogue, 18 May 2026 In conversation, Cornish-Dale is cocky but likable, with a languorous way of speaking that reminded me of Simon Cowell. — Helen Lewis, The Atlantic, 14 May 2026 The prevailing trend, and antidote to turbulent, ever-changing times, was rather zen, languorous and quieting. — Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 17 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for languorous

Recent Examples of Synonyms for languorous

Adjective

Armani’s languid silhouette soon seduced red- and blue-blooded men the world over.

— Robb Report, Robb Report, 9 Oct. 2026
Shafee operates in a languid, free-form zone throughout, trading his funky licks for loose, spacious lines and tolling, repetitive chords.

— Reed Jackson, SPIN, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of languid

Adjective

The Chargers, meantime, opened with three losses for the first time since 2017, and feature a listless, sputtering offense that lacks finish under first-year offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel.

— ABC News, ABC News, 27 Sep. 2026
In her final years, disappointed visitors reportedly threw sand into her cage to try to make the listless bird move, as author Joel Greenberg recounted to National Geographic.

— Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of listless

Adjective

And though his teammates were also lackadaisical when Daniels was sacked, the fact the quarterback went down with the ball in his hands with no timeouts in the first place is a real issue that Parsons believes trumps any other argument.

— Scott Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 14 Oct. 2026
This is not to say that coach Marco Sturm will be lackadaisical.

— Fluto Shinzawa, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of lackadaisical

Adjective

Getting camera-ready Crawford never tired of redecorating her house throughout her 26 years there and had a long collaborative relationship with decorator William Haines.

— Megan Johnson, Architectural Digest, 14 Oct. 2026
As such, the group designed this high-tech salve to revive tired skin on a cellular level, but also with a little mood boost.

— Jenny Berg, Vogue, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of tired

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

Definition of spiritless

Adjective

If a year in, the founder is still in every meeting and the new hire is the most exhausted person in the building, the company did not hire an operator.

— Ken Paskins, Forbes.com, 13 Oct. 2026
That loaded the bases, and Christian Yelich then greeted an exhausted Yamamoto with a two-run single.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of exhausted

Adjective

Layton was reportedly blue and limp, and Ryker had no heart rate and had to be resuscitated.

— Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 Oct. 2026
Thomas drives away with a limp, malfunctioning Vision next to him, and an illusory, wisecracking Ultron in the back seat.

— Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of limp

Adjective

What was once a boring, sleepy issue where the PUC made decisions more or less in a vacuum is no longer the case.

— Jordan Blum, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2026
On what had been something of a sleepy early Saturday afternoon for the Washington Capitals, Ryan Leonard suddenly produced a scintillating effort that ignited the home team.

— Des Bieler, Washington Post, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of sleepy

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languor

languorous

lank

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“Languorous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/languorous. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of languorous

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