torpor

noun

ˈtȯr-pər How to pronounce torpor (audio)
Definition of torpornext
1
as in disregard
lack of interest or concern after a lifetime of setbacks, defeats, and failures, he could only greet the latest bad news with a resigned fatalism and dull torpor

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in boredom
physical or mental inertness following a gut-busting Thanksgiving dinner, we spent the rest of the day lounging about in a contented torpor

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun torpor contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of torpor are languor, lassitude, lethargy, and stupor. While all these words mean "physical or mental inertness," 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

In what contexts can languor take the place of torpor?

The words languor and torpor are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, languor suggests inertia induced by an enervating climate or illness or love.

languor induced by a tropical vacation

When can lassitude be used instead of torpor?

While in some cases nearly identical to torpor, lassitude stresses listlessness or indifference resulting from fatigue or poor health.

a depression marked by lassitude

When would lethargy be a good substitute for torpor?

In some situations, the words lethargy and torpor are roughly equivalent. However, lethargy implies such drowsiness or aversion to activity as is induced by disease, injury, or drugs.

months of lethargy followed my accident

When is stupor a more appropriate choice than torpor?

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

lapsed into an alcoholic stupor

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 torpor In theory, to safely come back from induced hibernation, or even cryosleep, the body and mind would likely need hours or days to reverse the changes induced by torpor. — Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 22 Mar. 2026 This period of dormancy is referred to as torpor, as bears reduce activity and stay largely inside their warm dens. — Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 11 Mar. 2026 Will his cannon shot across the bow of democracy rouse them from their torpor? — Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 Feb. 2026 Even brown and black bears only go into torpor when food is unavailable for long periods. — Andrew Coletti, Popular Science, 11 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for torpor
Recent Examples of Synonyms for torpor
  1. disregard
  2. boredom
  3. indifference
  4. lethargy
  5. stupor
Noun
  • He was booked into San Diego Central Jail on charges of felony evading a peace officer with wanton disregard for safety, obstructing or resisting a peace officer and driving under the influence of drugs, according to police.
    — Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 1 Sep. 2026
  • These statements show a total disregard for confidentiality, basic investigative standards and the seriousness of ethics violations.
    — Collin Corbett, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of disregard
Noun
  • Take us to that moment, this middle-age malaise, this boredom.
    — Longreads, Longreads, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Her boredom was sharpened by the discovery that most of her initial assumptions were wrong.
    — Madhuri Vijay, New Yorker, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of boredom
Noun
  • The building at the excavation was previously thought to have served as a prison, due to the shoddiness of its construction and its indifference to aesthetics.
    — Jim Greer, SPIN, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Yet Jocelyne keeps hitting a wall of indifference from the military and authorities.
    — Ed Meza, Variety, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of indifference
Noun
  • Lastly, Harford County Animal Control urges residents to notify them at 410-638-3505 if anyone observes a stray animal showing signs of excessive affection, aggression, lethargy, or disorientation.
    — Michelle Richardson, CBS News, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Perhaps the jump scares here also helped shake the filmmakers out of their lethargy in post-production.
    — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of lethargy
Noun
  • Patients may experience a very high fever, headaches, neck pain, stupor, disorientation, muscle weakness and other serious symptoms.
    — Irene Wright, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Fernández’s theory is that Mark must have told the women the code to his safe in his pliant stupor.
    — Mattha Busby, Rolling Stone, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of stupor

Browse Nearby Words

torpidity
torpor
torque
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Cite this Entry

“Torpor.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/torpor. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on torpor

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about torpor

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