Synonyms of lethargy

lethargy

noun

ˈle-thər-jē 

as in boredom

physical or mental inertness

the doctor suspected that the patient's depression and lethargy were a result of seasonal affective disorder

Synonyms & Similar Words

• boredom
• stupor
• lassitude
• torpor
• languor
• fatigue
• listlessness
• indifference
• laziness
• malaise
• sleepiness
• hebetude
• inaction
• narcosis
• idleness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• vigor
• vitality
• vivacity
• enthusiasm
• eagerness
• ambition
• vim
• enterprise
• spiritedness
• keenness

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun lethargy contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of lethargy are languor, lassitude, stupor, and torpor. While all these words mean "physical or mental inertness," lethargy implies such drowsiness or aversion to activity as is induced by disease, injury, or drugs.

months of lethargy followed my accident

When would languor be a good substitute for lethargy?

The words languor and lethargy are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, languor suggests inertia induced by an enervating climate or illness or love.

languor induced by a tropical vacation

When is lassitude a more appropriate choice than lethargy?

The words lassitude and lethargy can be used in similar contexts, but lassitude stresses listlessness or indifference resulting from fatigue or poor health.

a depression marked by lassitude

Where would stupor be a reasonable alternative to lethargy?

Although the words stupor and lethargy have much in common, stupor implies a deadening of the mind and senses by shock, narcotics, or intoxicants.

lapsed into an alcoholic stupor

When is it sensible to use torpor instead of lethargy?

The meanings of torpor and lethargy largely overlap; 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

Recent Examples of lethargy

Just a nibble on a leaf or petal can lead to rapid kidney damage with loss of appetite, vomiting, hypersalivation, lethargy and sometimes neurological signs such as stumbling, tremors and seizures. —The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Mar. 2026

The surviving cats, all adults, are in stable condition and being treated for emaciation, dehydration, open wounds, flea infestations and lethargy at the Houston SPCA hospital. —Yvette Orozco, Houston Chronicle, 12 Mar. 2026

This was team-wide lethargy by a club that was without leading scorer Travis Konecny (upper-body injury) for the second straight game and defenseman Nick Seeler (lower-body injury), who was hurt Monday in Toronto. —Kevin Kurz, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2026

In other calls, medical staff asked for ambulances for a 6-year-old boy with lethargy and a high fever, a 14-month-old in respiratory distress, and a 22-month-old with a fever and low oxygen levels. —Laura Romero, ABC News, 4 Mar. 2026