listless

adjective

ˈlist-ləs How to pronounce listless (audio)
Definition of listlessnext
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 With one of the NFL’s toughest schedules looming and the Rams reeling from their own setbacks, the Chargers’ listless performance raises urgent doubts about where this team might be heading. — Mirjam Swanson, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2026 Out of nowhere, a listless contest was tied at 13-all before the extra point. — Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 4 Sep. 2026 Berterame started up front along with Luis Suarez, but the duo were unable to find the back of the net in a listless first half that remained scoreless as the teams headed to intermission. — Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 23 Aug. 2026 The Chiefs’ running game was so listless that defenses ignored fake handoffs and instead retreated to defend the pass, knowing the consequences of guessing wrong weren’t all that punishing anyway. — Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 20 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for listless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for listless
  1. tired
  2. spiritless
  3. exhausted
  4. limp
  5. lackadaisical
  6. sleepy
  7. languid
  8. languorous
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
  • 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
  • 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
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
  • But my favorite meals of each day were the long languorous breakfasts in the Salone Reale, among the grandest rooms in the hotel.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
  • She should still be blamed for giving in to the allure of billboards ten feet tall with languorous models.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of languorous

Browse Nearby Words

listings
listless
listlessly
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Cite this Entry

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

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