Synonym Chooser

How does the noun lassitude contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of lassitude are languor, lethargy, stupor, and torpor. While all these words mean "physical or mental inertness," lassitude stresses listlessness or indifference resulting from fatigue or poor health.

a depression marked by lassitude

Where would languor be a reasonable alternative to lassitude?

Although the words languor and lassitude have much in common, languor suggests inertia induced by an enervating climate or illness or love.

languor induced by a tropical vacation

When could lethargy be used to replace lassitude?

The words lethargy and lassitude can be used in similar contexts, but lethargy implies such drowsiness or aversion to activity as is induced by disease, injury, or drugs.

months of lethargy followed my accident

When might stupor be a better fit than lassitude?

While the synonyms stupor and lassitude are close in meaning, stupor implies a deadening of the mind and senses by shock, narcotics, or intoxicants.

lapsed into an alcoholic stupor

When would torpor be a good substitute for lassitude?

In some situations, the words torpor and lassitude are roughly equivalent. However, torpor implies a state of suspended animation as of hibernating animals but may suggest merely extreme sluggishness.

a once alert mind now in a torpor

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 lassitude Pence says that Biden’s lassitude on Ukraine is connected to his disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan, his foolish pursuit of a nuclear deal with Iran, and his recent turn toward dovishness on China. Matthew Continetti, National Review, 8 July 2023 Men struggled to defeat lassitude and depression. Alex Kershaw, WSJ, 7 Sep. 2022 Most of the youthful actors give performances of a startling lassitude, although, to be charitable, that may be the fault of the plot—specifically, of the Blue, a nasty drink, vaguely reminiscent of toilet cleaner, which all the growing kids are required to swig. Anthony Lane, The New Yorker, 16 Apr. 2021 Founded by LeRoi Jones (no relation), who combined immense talent, critical acumen, and, after being brutalized by the police, a rusty shank of disdain for the lassitude of white America, the movement advanced the idea that white people’s approval was beside the point. Calvin Baker, The Atlantic, 2 Aug. 2020 See All Example Sentences for lassitude
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lassitude
Noun
  • Are Too Many Priorities Making Work More Stressful? Trying to solve everything at once leads to exhaustion and inaction.
    Dr. Diane Hamilton, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025
  • Social media fatigue has risen in recent years, studies show, as mindless scrolling leads to mental exhaustion.
    Ashton Jackson, CNBC, 8 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Letting Boredom Do Its Job In an era of constant stimulation, boredom has become something to avoid at all costs.
    Mark Travers, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025
  • As the dog lazed in the dirt in Shelby Park, one guardsman ruminated about new missions to alleviate the boredom.
    Jack Healy, New York Times, 13 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • As Hakeem Jeffries treks to Los Angeles for a big-ticket fundraiser, a number of Hollywood donors are staying on the sidelines out of fatigue, frustration and even fear over the ability of the Democratic party to stand up to Donald Trump.
    Ted Johnson, Deadline, 19 Mar. 2025
  • Insufficient levels of these minerals are associated with a range of hangover symptoms, including fatigue, weakness, and drowsiness.
    Mark Gurarie, Verywell Health, 19 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Signs of hypothermia include weakness, muscle stiffness, lethargy, confusion, and loss of consciousness.
    Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 11 Mar. 2025
  • Pay attention for signs of distress: panting, drooling, a high heart rate, dry nose, lethargy, or even vomiting, staggering or seizures.
    Kate Bradshaw, The Mercury News, 3 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • And that was done mostly wordlessly in a drugged stupor, so that was always going to be a challenge, not to just be the boring guy falling asleep.
    Sydney Bucksbaum, EW.com, 10 Mar. 2025
  • This routine also lulls even the multisig participants into a stupor, or a mindless clicking of buttons.
    Vipin Bharathan, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • During an epidemic that otherwise made life hectic and clamorous, the militarized languor of the residents was glaring precisely because Liberians who were already displaced from the recent Civil War felt abandoned by the government.
    Edna Bonhomme, Rolling Stone, 11 Mar. 2025
  • Eastwood stars in both, and both suffer from some of the late-career languors that started to creep into his movies after a certain point, mostly due to a tendency to let dialogue scenes play on and on without much regard to rhythm or pace.
    Keith Phipps, Vulture, 1 Nov. 2024

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Cite this Entry

“Lassitude.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lassitude. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.

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