Synonym Chooser

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 Rozier constructs his love triangle (or, rather, square) without an ounce of melodrama, focusing as much on the vacation’s languorous atmosphere—and its giddy effect on the friends’ inside jokes and childish slapstick—as on the slow-burn plot. Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 15 July 2024 The nocturnal characters spend languorous nights in bars, opera houses, brothels. Judy Berman, TIME, 1 July 2024 But on its own, Season 3 was like a long, languorous meal served over the course of several hours. Dave Nemetz, TVLine, 30 June 2024 Five Centimeters per Second, as its narrators tell us, is the speed at which cherry blossom petals drift down to the earth from trees — the idea being that like first loves, their descent can be beautiful, languorous, and highly unpredictable. Eric Vilas-Boas, Vulture, 1 Apr. 2024 See all Example Sentences for languorous 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for languorous
Adjective
  • Martin, ever elegant but rarely a wildly expressive actor, could perhaps do with showing a bit more emotional urgency here to sharpen the interplay with Tom, especially in this naturally languid seaside backdrop.
    Nicolas Rapold, Deadline, 16 Feb. 2025
  • But once the action flashes back to a week earlier, the new season slows to an uncharacteristically languid pace.
    Kristen Baldwin, EW.com, 11 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Kansas City was listless throughout the game, being shut out for nearly three quarters and potentially suffering from the curse of President Donald Trump picking them to win.
    James Powel, USA TODAY, 10 Feb. 2025
  • But rather than raise alarm, her listless demeanor ends up dredging up difficult conversations with her mother (Betty Buckley), her friends (Samantha Mathis and Robin Tunney) and later still with a creepy, stalking neighbor (Clifton Collins Jr.).
    Manuel Betancourt, Variety, 8 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Turmoil and lackadaisical effort created a negative narrative around the team.
    Ryan Gaydos, Fox News, 6 Jan. 2025
  • The first one was a bit painful, as McCabe failed to take away the passing lane on the initial breakout pass, and Rielly was too lackadaisical and failed to get his stick in the shooting lane.
    Kevin Papetti, The Athletic, 22 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • People get tired and begin complaining about the sketch.
    Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 11 Feb. 2025
  • While their rap beef was a major moment for Hip-Hop and has elevated multiple personalities and podcasts, some people are tired of discussing it; Charlamagne seems to fall into that demographic.
    Armon Sadler, VIBE.com, 11 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Dance sections lacked charm; lyric passages were spiritless; the klezmer episodes in the third movement were strictly goyish.
    Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 9 Dec. 2024
  • Yet the club dropped the contest in spiritless fashion, 6-2.
    Julian McWilliams, BostonGlobe.com, 12 Aug. 2023
Adjective
  • That’s why an exhausted Gustavsson was slow to embrace his teammates after the final horn sounded.
    Michael Russo, The Athletic, 7 Feb. 2025
  • King Charles cant get involved in Prince Harrys security woes: author Ingrid Seward, editor-in-chief of Majesty magazine and author of ‘My Mother and I,’ explains why the monarch is too exhausted to deal with his younger son’s ongoing court battle.
    Stephanie Giang-Paunon, Fox News, 6 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Unlike other beach towns in Texas, Matagorda Bay is sleepy.
    Amanda Ogle, Travel + Leisure, 8 Feb. 2025
  • Penrod, 85, spent much of his life transforming Miami Beach through his ownership of bars and restaurants, helping change the city from a once sleepy retirement community into a resort destination.
    Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 7 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • The mise-en-scene towards the end feels clumsy, even a bit limp, and the plotting becomes forced.
    Ritesh Mehta, IndieWire, 15 Feb. 2025
  • But Bill Burk’s yellow bear tumbled limp and lifeless almost at my feet and for the next few minutes there was excited talk and the cleaning of the animal to offer distraction.
    Frank C. Hibben, Outdoor Life, 13 Feb. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near languorous

Cite this Entry

“Languorous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/languorous. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on languorous

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