listless

adjective

list·less ˈlist-ləs

Synonyms of listless next

: characterized by lack of interest, energy, or spirit

a listless melancholy attitude

listlessly adverb

listlessness noun

Choose the Right Synonym for listless

languid, languorous, lackadaisical, listless, spiritless mean lacking energy or enthusiasm.

languid refers to an unwillingness or inability to exert oneself due to fatigue or physical weakness.

was depressed and languid for weeks after surgery

languorous suggests a dreamy boredom and delicacy that avoids unnecessary activity.

languorous cats lying in the sun

lackadaisical implies a carefree indifference marked by half-hearted efforts.

lackadaisical college seniors pretending to study

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

spiritless refers to a lack of animation or vigor that gives one's actions and words life.

a spiritless recital of the poem

Examples of listless in a Sentence

He became listless, answered in monosyllables, gurgled, drank a great deal of whisky, and looked with hateful eyes at everyone. —

Isaiah Berlin, New York Times Book Review, 12 Apr. 1987

She looked up and saw everyone starting his work. She took out a piece of paper, feeling listless and bored as she did. —

Louise Fitzhugh, Harriet the Spy, 1964

His blue eyes had lost their colour; they had a listless droop; and his mouth, losing the fulness of youth, was weak and pale. —

W. Somerset Maugham, Of Human Bondage, 1915

Her pretty face was wan and listless, her hair uncurled—some locks hanging lankly down, and some carelessly twisted round her head. —

Emily Brontë, Wuthering Heights, 1847

The heat made everyone tired and listless. The party was a listless affair.

Recent Examples on the Web

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.

Deji looked listless through the first two rounds before finding a spark in the third. —

Brian Mazique, Forbes, 28 Nov. 2024 The listless resignation among Trump’s detractors is not just your imagination, either. —

Philip Elliott, TIME, 26 Nov. 2024 When McCaffrey returned at midseason, the 49ers hoped the reigning Offensive Player of the Year would add kick to their offense and jump-start their listless season. —

Matt Barrows, The Athletic, 24 Nov. 2024 This year, the listless Dolphins have a 2-3 record at the bye week. —

Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 7 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for listless