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 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 And throughout a 100-minute show, Cain recounted the story of a preacher’s daughter through wailing vocals, haunting drones, and meditative, languorous chants. — Audrey Gibbs, Nashville Tennessean, 3 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for languorous

Recent Examples of Synonyms for languorous

Adjective

Newcastle yearned to win, to fulfil the dream awoken by Keegan — who died of cancer last month — and Isak was part of the team that finally did it, a languid forward with a kiss for a touch who scored at Wembley when Liverpool were beaten.

— George Caulkin, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
Setting the film on the Canadian frontier rather than the American sets it apart from its peers, and the more languid pacing and character-driven plotting continue to distinguish it as a mannered classic.

— David Faris, TheWeek, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of languid

Adjective

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

Definition of listless

Adjective

Whitmore appeared in 21 games last season before coach Brian Keefe benched him in early December because of Whitmore’s lack of passing on offense and lackadaisical defense.

— Josh Robbins, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026
Its knit fabric never requires an iron or steamer, and it’s held up through countless washes without pilling despite my lackadaisical approach to laundry.

— Maggie Horton, PEOPLE, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of lackadaisical

Adjective

His handicapping merited attention and newsletter sales, but Steele soon tired of tipping his own hand to the oddsmakers in Vegas.

— Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026
More and more young people are turning toward low- or no-tech lives, tired of the endless scroll most of us face for hours each day.

— Greta Cross, USA Today, 21 Aug. 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

The offense was unproductive, the bullpen exhausted and starters gassed after several extra-inning games and three sticky games against the Cardinals.

— Charlotte Varnes, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
Such weapons are proving increasingly difficult for Kyiv to shoot down, with supplies of US Patriot interceptors – one of the few systems capable of taking down ballistic missiles pretty much exhausted.

— Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of exhausted

Adjective

Her limp body was found by Hickerson’s brother in a living room chair, according to TMZ.

— Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 20 Aug. 2026
This sixth entry indeed takes us further into the Further, where a limp-haired Marilyn Manson-type entity called Cyrus Lam has its eyes on Gemma in the present day.

— Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of limp

Adjective

No one predicted the sleepy backwater of Sassnitz would be rebranded ‘Crashnitz’ or ‘Smashnitz’ by the end of the first edition of the German Sail Grand Prix last year.

— Andrew Rice, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026
During an allegedly sleepy period on the NBA schedule, the Lakers shook everyone awake with a blaring alarm.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 18 Aug. 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 28 Aug. 2026.

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