as in boredom
physical or mental inertness shocked by news of impending layoffs, the workers shuffled through their shift in a quiet stupor

Synonyms & Similar Words

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How does the noun stupor contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of stupor are languor, lassitude, lethargy, and torpor. While all these words mean "physical or mental inertness," stupor implies a deadening of the mind and senses by shock, narcotics, or intoxicants.

lapsed into an alcoholic stupor

When is languor a more appropriate choice than stupor?

The words languor and stupor can be used in similar contexts, but languor suggests inertia induced by an enervating climate or illness or love.

languor induced by a tropical vacation

When would lassitude be a good substitute for stupor?

The synonyms lassitude and stupor are sometimes interchangeable, but lassitude stresses listlessness or indifference resulting from fatigue or poor health.

a depression marked by lassitude

Where would lethargy be a reasonable alternative to stupor?

In some situations, the words lethargy and stupor are roughly equivalent. However, lethargy implies such drowsiness or aversion to activity as is induced by disease, injury, or drugs.

months of lethargy followed my accident

When is it sensible to use torpor instead of stupor?

While the synonyms torpor and stupor are close in meaning, 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

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 stupor Eventually, Agatha is freed from the spell after visits from another witch, Rio Vidal (Aubrey Plaza), and a kid only known as Teen (Joe Locke) manage to shake Agatha out of her crime-show stupor. Adam B. Vary, Variety, 23 Sep. 2024 Right down to harms that are felt first and worst by people of color, and political systems that badly need to be shaken from their stupor. Sammy Roth, Los Angeles Times, 19 Sep. 2024 Sensing the stupor her meal had induced, Gamage went in for the kill. Prasad Ramamurthy, Travel + Leisure, 18 Sep. 2024 The way the resort’s handful of guests sometimes wander around in stupors before becoming violently ill is enough to make Gretchen suspect something is amiss. Charles Pulliam-Moore, The Verge, 9 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for stupor 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stupor
Noun
  • But always with a very specific purpose that is never about the kind of anxiety of boredom.
    Adam B. Vary, Variety, 16 Dec. 2024
  • The fear of audience boredom certainly animated Coïc-Gallas to keep finding ways to shift our, and the cat’s, perspective of moving through the world and employ sound with incredible specificity.
    Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 29 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • And rich, fatty foods, such as gravy, can contribute to pancreatitis, a painful condition characterized by vomiting and lethargy that requires emergency veterinary care.
    Lisa Bloch, The Mercury News, 10 Dec. 2024
  • Also, look for unsteadiness, lethargy, and drowsiness. Seizures.
    Melissa Willets, Parents, 10 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • Throughout months of hibernation, these 2-3 week periods of torpor are interspersed with one or two day bouts of arousal.
    Lauren Leffer, Popular Science, 28 Nov. 2024
  • Last week’s attacks seem to have awoken French politicians from this torpor.
    Jonathan Laurence, Foreign Affairs, 16 Jan. 2015

Thesaurus Entries Near stupor

Cite this Entry

“Stupor.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stupor. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on stupor

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