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 His Southern drawl sounds like a languorous cross between early Brando and Mr. Blackwell. Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 27 June 2025 In the summer, people here are too busy enjoying themselves—drinking on patios, reading languorous books, stretching weekends in Crystal Beach or Sherkston out over three, four, five days—to do much of any importance. Aidan Ryan june 4, Literary Hub, 4 June 2025 Warfare tells the harrowing story of their rescue in real time—even though much of this movie is constructed from long, languorous takes, the film moves forward in tense fits and starts. Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 11 Apr. 2025 Steeped in the pleasantly lazy atmosphere of the title setting, the film is languorous, but not long. Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 25 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for languorous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for languorous
Adjective
  • While not abandoning core design DNA—crisp, modern tailoring, languid sensuality, and oodles of good taste to wit—the brand delivered a collection that felt like a breath of fresh air.
    Roxanne Robinson, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Renewed federal support for drilling in the US, combined with languid global oil demand and increasing drilling by OPEC countries, has pushed oil prices to their lowest level since the pandemic.
    Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • In 2020, as a franchise, the Broncos looked listless and lost — a sleeping giant resting on the laurels of orange-and-blue bloods everywhere.
    Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 10 Sep. 2025
  • The air was damp and listless and the heat was something to wade through, thick as molasses.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Sorry to all the girlies who are lackadaisical about leaving home and would rather rub their feet together in bed.
    Essence, Essence, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Patience is the hallmark of Chinese operators, but the other side of this story is the lackadaisical attitude toward security that remains all too common among Western IT managers.
    Emil Sayegh, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Susan has lifted us up for 50 years; and her arms have not grown tired.
    Scott Simon, NPR, 6 Sep. 2025
  • Discard the tired-looking center and separate clumps from the outer edges by hand or use a sharp knife or pruning saw.
    Rita Pelczar, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The Senators looked spiritless days ago in their building Saturday night ahead of Game 4.
    Julian McKenzie, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025
  • Amid the spiritless spirits and a bevy of alcohol-free wines, ciders, and beers, luxury sparkling teas are comfortably the most exciting emerging trend in the low and no-alcohol sphere.
    Camille Berry, Vogue, 29 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Gaga ended the performance like an exhausted wind-up doll, caged again physically, but never spiritually.
    Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 8 Sep. 2025
  • The apparently recent footage showed two hostages -- Guy Gilboa-Dalal and Alon Ohel -- looking gaunt and exhausted while being driven around Gaza City.
    WAFAA SHURAFA, Arkansas Online, 7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • After dropping a sleepy rubber match to the Chicago White Sox on Sunday, the Tigers have lost nine of their past 13 games.
    Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
  • In recent years, the government even started paying people to move to its sleepy medieval villages.
    Siobhan Reid, Robb Report, 7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The tense post-game meeting between them at midfield came with a limp handshake and loaded question from Carroll.
    Jay Paris, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
  • After 2200 hours, your arms would forever hang limp by your sides.
    Manuel Muñoz, Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Languorous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/languorous. Accessed 13 Sep. 2025.

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