LACKADAISICAL Synonyms: 64 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'lackadaisical' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of lackadaisical are languid , languorous , listless , and spiritless . While all these words mean "lacking energy or enthusiasm," lackadaisical implies a carefree indifference marked by half-hearted efforts. // lackadaisical college seniors pretending to study

Q: Where would 'languid' be a reasonable alternative to 'lackadaisical'?

The meanings of languid and lackadaisical largely overlap; however, languid refers to an unwillingness or inability to exert oneself due to fatigue or physical weakness. // was depressed and languid for weeks after surgery

Q: In what contexts can 'languorous' take the place of 'lackadaisical'?

Although the words languorous and lackadaisical have much in common, languorous suggests a dreamy boredom and delicacy that avoids unnecessary activity. // languorous cats lying in the sun

Q: When is 'listless' a more appropriate choice than 'lackadaisical'?

While the synonyms listless and lackadaisical are close in meaning, 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

Q: When could 'spiritless' be used to replace 'lackadaisical'?

While in some cases nearly identical to lackadaisical , spiritless refers to a lack of animation or vigor that gives one's actions and words life. // a spiritless recital of the poem

lackadaisical

adjective

ˌla-kə-ˈdā-zi-kəl

Definition of lackadaisical

as in listless

lacking bodily energy or motivation feeling particularly lackadaisical in the summer heat, they lazily tossed a ball back and forth

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How does the adjective lackadaisical differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of lackadaisical are languid, languorous, listless, and spiritless. While all these words mean "lacking energy or enthusiasm," lackadaisical implies a carefree indifference marked by half-hearted efforts.

lackadaisical college seniors pretending to study

Where would languid be a reasonable alternative to lackadaisical?

The meanings of languid and lackadaisical largely overlap; however, languid refers to an unwillingness or inability to exert oneself due to fatigue or physical weakness.

was depressed and languid for weeks after surgery

In what contexts can languorous take the place of lackadaisical?

Although the words languorous and lackadaisical have much in common, languorous suggests a dreamy boredom and delicacy that avoids unnecessary activity.

languorous cats lying in the sun

When is listless a more appropriate choice than lackadaisical?

While the synonyms listless and lackadaisical are close in meaning, 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

When could spiritless be used to replace lackadaisical?

While in some cases nearly identical to lackadaisical, 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 lackadaisical Its knit fabric never requires an iron or steamer, and it’s held up through countless washes without pilling despite my lackadaisical approach to laundry. — Maggie Horton, PEOPLE, 13 Aug. 2026 Yet the procedural is so formulaic and the twists so unbelievable that even the most lackadaisical viewer will likely solve the mysteries long before the truth is revealed. — Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 7 Aug. 2026 Alexander Klose-Mozer, CEO of EuroEV and Managing Director of KM Electron, has been critical of European manufacturers’ lackadaisical approach to cheaper EVs. — Neil Winton, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026 In the interest of not having to rehash the now-familiar back and forth, Ibrahimović stated that Lalas’ criticism of the French squad’s lackadaisical first-half efforts was rooted in ignorance, this despite the fact that his beef should have been directed at match analyst Landon Donovan. — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 24 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for lackadaisical

Recent Examples of Synonyms for lackadaisical

Adjective

With his team facing fourth-and-3, his deficit at 21-7 early in the third quarter and his offense teetering between flat and listless, Falcons coach Kevin Stefanski stood on the sideline, eyed his players and clapped his hands.

— Daniel Flick, AJC.com, 19 Oct. 2026
The Chargers, meantime, opened with three losses for the first time since 2017, and feature a listless, sputtering offense that lacks finish under first-year offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel.

— ABC News, ABC News, 27 Sep. 2026

Definition of listless

Adjective

And most of us are tired of paying for the playthings of millionaires and billionaires.

— Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2026
Airbnb guests who are tired of spending the final hour of their vacation stripping beds and scrubbing pans are about to get a break.

— Lena Borrelli, Fortune, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of tired

Adjective

But my favorite meals of each day were the long languorous breakfasts in the Salone Reale, among the grandest rooms in the hotel.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
She should still be blamed for giving in to the allure of billboards ten feet tall with languorous models.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of languorous

Adjective

The Chiefs turned that spiritless first half into a 28-7 blowout Monday night against the Commanders, opening the second half with touchdown drives of 80, 75 and 94 yards.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 28 Oct. 2025
From spiritless spirits to refusing to open up a bar tab, members of Generation Z are continuing to challenge alcohol traditions.

— Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 6 Sep. 2025

Definition of spiritless

Adjective

The age-old advice of keeping your passwords secure and being wary of suspicious emails is more important than ever as hackers gain more sophisticated tools and use AI to find more of the internet’s weak points.

— Lisa Eadicicco, CNN Money, 26 Oct. 2026
Analysts expect profits and assets to cover the dividend through weaker timber periods.

— Sebastien Chasse, CNBC, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of weak

Adjective

Meanwhile, angry residents continue to flood once-sleepy municipal board meetings, pressuring officials to reject data center proposals.

— Marc Levy, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026
What was once a boring, sleepy issue where the PUC made decisions more or less in a vacuum is no longer the case.

— Jordan Blum, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of sleepy

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“Lackadaisical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lackadaisical. Accessed 30 Oct. 2026.

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