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

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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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 Sanders hadn’t been around his team for three months last offseason and lacked the energy or spark that had enabled him to transform listless programs at Jackson State and CU into winners. — Bruce Feldman, New York Times, 14 July 2026 After a listless loss in their first match back after the summer break, the Orlando Pride came into Friday night’s game against Kansas City desperate to right the ship. — Kyle Foley, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 July 2026 Flau’jae Johnson needed just 49 seconds to seize the lead with a deep three, then poured in 23 points as Seattle rolled past the listless Sparks, 82-64. — Liana Handler, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026 The length exacerbates all the rest of the series' sins, including a lack of emotional depth, gratuitous suffering and violence, long stretches of boring, listless plotting and extraneous characters. — Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 4 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for listless

Recent Examples of Synonyms for listless

Adjective

Well, the growing season in the South is a long one, and even the best thrillers get tired, the spillers get leggy, and the fillers sometimes disappear.

— Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 6 Aug. 2026
Replace Cabinet Hardware New drawer pulls, cabinet knobs, and even hinges can make quite the impact on your tired old kitchen cabinets.

— Barbara Bellesi Zito, The Spruce, 5 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

Ariel, a successful but exhausted writer, struggles to stay young and attractive while his younger wife drags him into a demanding social life, his five children treat him like a butler, and his elderly parents constantly demand his attention.

— Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 11 Aug. 2026
Yet despite all this effort, many high achievers report feeling mentally exhausted, creatively depleted and less productive than ever.

— Bryan Robinson, Forbes.com, 9 Aug. 2026

Definition of exhausted

Adjective

The water was too rough to get a rescue tube around the boy, who lost consciousness and went limp.

— ABC News, ABC News, 4 Aug. 2026
A couple solid set-pieces, a lame evil corporate villain, a limp Act 1 origin story, and the perfect scene where Pepper performs open-heart surgery on Tony complete the picture.

— EW Staff, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of limp

Adjective

Yet the procedural is so formulaic and the twists so unbelievable that even the most lackadaisical viewer will likely solve the mysteries long before the truth is revealed.

— Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 7 Aug. 2026
Alexander Klose-Mozer, CEO of EuroEV and Managing Director of KM Electron, has been critical of European manufacturers’ lackadaisical approach to cheaper EVs.

— Neil Winton, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026

Definition of lackadaisical

Adjective

In a sleepy bay in Anguilla, the ship’s marina comes down, affording an opportunity to play with the water toys and swim to an inflatable trampoline.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Aug. 2026
And then, slowly and all at once, battle is upon this once sleepy market town.

— Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of sleepy

Adjective

Opening night on Friday will showcase the Mehura competition, a more languid dance style, with graceful arm movements that have a theme or tell a story.

— Marcia Luttrell, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 July 2026
Built by Italian yard Benetti and extensively refreshed between 2018 and 2021, the 141-foot yacht combines François Zuretti interiors with generous outdoor spaces designed for languid days in the Balearic sun.

— Dea Jusufi, Forbes.com, 25 July 2026

Definition of languid

Adjective

Two of Latin alternative’s gentlest souls combine their heart-on-your-sleeve electronic and indie-folk impulses for a breezy, languorous collaborative record.

— E.R. Pulgar, Pitchfork, 20 July 2026
Adorned with almost graphically violent labels showcasing alpha predators -- a shark, a grizzly, an orca, a lion and some sort of particularly angry bird of prey -- the bottles are a far cry from the placid villas and languorous ladies plastered across so many wines.

— ABC News, ABC News, 22 June 2026

Definition of languorous

Browse Nearby Words

listings

listless

listlessly

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“Listless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/listless. Accessed 14 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of listless

adjective

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The Words of the Week - Aug. 25

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More from Merriam-Webster on listless

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