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 The nocturnal characters spend languorous nights in bars, opera houses, brothels. Judy Berman, TIME, 1 July 2024 But on its own, Season 3 was like a long, languorous meal served over the course of several hours. Dave Nemetz, TVLine, 30 June 2024 Five Centimeters per Second, as its narrators tell us, is the speed at which cherry blossom petals drift down to the earth from trees — the idea being that like first loves, their descent can be beautiful, languorous, and highly unpredictable. Eric Vilas-Boas, Vulture, 1 Apr. 2024 Turgenev would spend the rest of his life either in close proximity to Pauline or wishing for it, following her and Louis to Paris and London, often living near them and spending long, languorous days in their company. Jerrold Seigel, Foreign Affairs, 11 Aug. 2020 See all Example Sentences for languorous 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for languorous
Adjective
  • Each of the 67 rooms boasts charming village and serene harbor views, and some even have their own private patios to take a languid coffee in the morning.
    Ariel Okin, Vogue, 22 Jan. 2025
  • Louche, languid tailoring has become a major trend in Milan and Florence.
    Luisa Zargani, WWD, 21 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • The Blazers won on Sunday to break a five-game losing streak, but this team looked listless during that stretch.
    Zach Harper, The Athletic, 20 Jan. 2025
  • The Irish had 13 carries for 15 yards in the first half while looking listless on offense while trailing 10-3 at halftime.
    Terence Moore, Forbes, 19 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • The first one was a bit painful, as McCabe failed to take away the passing lane on the initial breakout pass, and Rielly was too lackadaisical and failed to get his stick in the shooting lane.
    Kevin Papetti, The Athletic, 22 Jan. 2025
  • And finally, Maxey reportedly called him out in a team meeting for his lack of conditioning and lackadaisical play.
    Barry M. Bloom, Sportico.com, 28 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • Some women combat veterans and military experts say Hegseth's likely rise to Trump's cabinet has left them frustrated and exhausted and has revived tired, sexist arguments against their service.
    Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA TODAY, 18 Jan. 2025
  • The upstairs restaurant serves Italian classics with a twist, as well as couscous and dishes prepared in a wok, which can be a nice change for those tired of pizza and pasta.
    Gary Stoller, Forbes, 18 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Dance sections lacked charm; lyric passages were spiritless; the klezmer episodes in the third movement were strictly goyish.
    Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 9 Dec. 2024
  • Yet the club dropped the contest in spiritless fashion, 6-2.
    Julian McWilliams, BostonGlobe.com, 12 Aug. 2023
Adjective
  • In an interview with CNN from her home in the West Bank city of Bethlehem, Hassanein appeared frail and exhausted.
    Nadeen Ebrahim, CNN, 23 Jan. 2025
  • But falling into a hire for reasons of comfort alone is going to be tough to sell for a franchise that’s exhausted by the comfortable status quo.
    Saad Yousuf, The Athletic, 22 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • This southern island in the country’s archipelago is a sleepy place, a welcome respite from the development, sometimes overdevelopment, going on elsewhere in the region including the country’s main island Providenciales.
    Laurie Werner, Forbes, 21 Jan. 2025
  • The once relatively sleepy city, long overshadowed by its neighbor Como, has now woken up—and established itself as a destination unto itself.
    Madeline Weinfield, Vogue, 21 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Instead of going limp, Chandler stands up, taking Oliveira with him like a 155-pound backpack, and waddles to the center of the ring.
    Jack Crosbie, Rolling Stone, 14 Jan. 2025
  • At the liquidator’s shop, Jagriti had watched her mother’s hands go limp in her lap.
    Kanak Kapur, The New Yorker, 5 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near languorous

Cite this Entry

“Languorous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/languorous. Accessed 2 Feb. 2025.

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