TORPOR Synonyms: 80 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'torpor' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of torpor are languor , lassitude , lethargy , and stupor . While all these words mean "physical or mental inertness," 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

Q: In what contexts can 'languor' take the place of 'torpor'?

The words languor and torpor 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

Q: When can 'lassitude' be used instead of 'torpor'?

While in some cases nearly identical to torpor , lassitude stresses listlessness or indifference resulting from fatigue or poor health. // a depression marked by lassitude

Q: When would 'lethargy' be a good substitute for 'torpor'?

In some situations, the words lethargy and torpor 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

Q: When is 'stupor' a more appropriate choice than 'torpor'?

While the synonyms stupor and torpor are close in meaning, stupor implies a deadening of the mind and senses by shock, narcotics, or intoxicants. // lapsed into an alcoholic stupor

torpor

noun

ˈtȯr-pər

Definition of torpor next

as in disregard

lack of interest or concern after a lifetime of setbacks, defeats, and failures, he could only greet the latest bad news with a resigned fatalism and dull torpor

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in boredom

physical or mental inertness following a gut-busting Thanksgiving dinner, we spent the rest of the day lounging about in a contented torpor

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun torpor contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of torpor are languor, lassitude, lethargy, and stupor. While all these words mean "physical or mental inertness," 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

In what contexts can languor take the place of torpor?

The words languor and torpor 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 can lassitude be used instead of torpor?

While in some cases nearly identical to torpor, lassitude stresses listlessness or indifference resulting from fatigue or poor health.

a depression marked by lassitude

When would lethargy be a good substitute for torpor?

In some situations, the words lethargy and torpor 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 stupor a more appropriate choice than torpor?

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

lapsed into an alcoholic stupor

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 torpor 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 Back in the present, Noriko tries visiting Suzie in person to shake her from her torpor. —

Chris Klimek, Vulture, 17 July 2024 To be ready to meet the day, for example, the birds begin to rouse from their torpor about an hour before sunrise, well before visible light cues. —

Bob Holmes, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for torpor

Recent Examples of Synonyms for torpor

Noun

The President must reign in Mr. Musk's powers immediately and stop this blatant disregard for the powers of Congress.

— Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Newsweek, 4 Feb. 2025
That is a blatant disregard for the rule of law, even though pardons are within the purview of the president and something he is technically allowed to do.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Jan. 2025