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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective languid differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of languid are lackadaisical, languorous, listless, and spiritless. While all these words 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

When could lackadaisical be used to replace languid?

The synonyms lackadaisical and languid are sometimes interchangeable, but lackadaisical implies a carefree indifference marked by half-hearted efforts.

lackadaisical college seniors pretending to study

When is it sensible to use languorous instead of languid?

While the synonyms languorous and languid are close in meaning, languorous suggests a dreamy boredom and delicacy that avoids unnecessary activity.

languorous cats lying in the sun

When is listless a more appropriate choice than languid?

The words listless and languid are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 languid?

Although the words spiritless and languid 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

Examples 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 languid Individual episodes can be slow, almost languid, and are often heavy with long stretches of dialogue and silent sequences of voyeuristic pursuit. Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 4 Apr. 2024 Unfortunately nothing really works with Sanders’ latest version, including a languid script and lack of chemistry between the leads, who, sans supernatural assistance, would be doomed to toxic codependency, whose meet-cute feels like the prologue to The Panic in Needle Park (1971). Nicholas Bell, SPIN, 17 Dec. 2024 No 1 Jordan), who made his debut for the under-21s in April as a 17-year-old, and Harrison Armstrong, a languid, skilful midfielder who started for the club’s second-string in February a month after turning 17. Patrick Boyland, The Athletic, 11 July 2024 Hotelier Oscar Cubillo Blasco and his partner, Gigi de Vidal, left careers in Madrid for 250-year-old town house in the former Lanzarote capital of Teguise (also home to the lovely nine-room Palacio Ico boutique and now the charming center of the languid island). Toby Skinner, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for languid 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for languid
Adjective
  • Ghia Le Spritz Variety 12-Pack $145 Ghia A wanderlust-inducing coffee table book Il Dolce Far Niente, or the sweetness of doing nothing, is effortlessly captured in this mesmerizing photo book cataloging a languorous Italian summer by Lucy Laucht.
    Sophie Dodd, Bon Appétit, 11 Dec. 2024
  • That’s why a noirish tenor sax snakes through the suite’s middle (played with languorous sensuality by PRISM Quartet’s Timothy McAllister), set to a lyre-like harp accompaniment.
    Hannah Edgar, Chicago Tribune, 9 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • Its woman-on-the-run story is weak at times, not quite engaging enough to get through the constant death and destruction.
    Kelly Lawler, USA TODAY, 9 Jan. 2025
  • China’s persistently low consumer inflation indicates that China is struggling with weak domestic demand, stoking fears of deflation.
    Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 9 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • In spite of the leisurely pace of change, To mix valiant drinks for the future.
    Czeslaw Milosz, The New Yorker, 6 Jan. 2025
  • With an elegant yet intimate atmosphere, guests will enjoy a leisurely evening of delicious food, good company, and celebration.
    Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • The Warriors concluded a six-game homestand with another listless effort.
    Marcus Thompson II, The Athletic, 8 Jan. 2025
  • Both are unemployed with little opportunity in sight, pitted against each other in a constantly bickering home, and listless about it all.
    Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 9 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • The antihero actioner earned a feeble $4.7 million across Friday and preview screenings from 3,211 locations.
    J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 14 Dec. 2024
  • What a degrading finale for Biden’s feeble, forgettable, frequently foolish presidency.
    Bret Stephens, The Mercury News, 3 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • But Williams and the Bears offense, which have struggled all season with slow starts, certainly didn’t look cool and collected prior to the fourth quarter.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 6 Jan. 2025
  • Launching before ready While slow launching kills more startups, rushing can wreck your reputation.
    Jodie Cook, Forbes, 6 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • In Germany in the early 1930s, many people were tired of violence, uncertainty, and a failing economy and hoped that a strong leader would heed their concerns and come up with new and effective solutions to bring better and calmer days.
    Margaret MacMillan, Foreign Affairs, 7 Jan. 2025
  • People are tired of prescribed approaches to their work.
    Glenn Llopis, Forbes, 7 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Performances such as Wednesday’s, where the Bucks are locked in from the start and focused on their goals for a full 48 minutes, are what has made the team’s lackadaisical outings against teams destined for the NBA Draft lottery so disappointing this season.
    Eric Nehm, The Athletic, 9 Jan. 2025
  • Even the current administration has be lackadaisical in the approach.
    Tribune Content Agency, The Mercury News, 16 Dec. 2024

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Cite this Entry

“Languid.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/languid. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.

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