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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 Trump was in his first term, and Chopra felt that lackadaisical regulators had set the table for the politics of grievance and resentment that carried him to victory. — E. Tammy Kim, New Yorker, 9 Mar. 2026 Center fielder Alex Call made a lackadaisical throw back to the infield, but second baseman Alex Freeland threw a strike home to nail Lee with feet to spare. — Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 22 Apr. 2026 Allowing Towns and others the opportunity to help create on offense may help Brunson avoid some lackadaisical passing and silly fouls. — Tom Rende, Forbes.com, 10 June 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

But the maneuver failed to budge Comcast’s listless stock, which has languished for years as its primary business lost thousands of broadband customers.

— Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2026
The length exacerbates all the rest of the series' sins, including a lack of emotional depth, gratuitous suffering and violence, long stretches of boring, listless plotting and extraneous characters.

— Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 4 June 2026

Definition of listless

Adjective

Adorned with almost graphically violent labels showcasing alpha predators -- a shark, a grizzly, an orca, a lion and some sort of particularly angry bird of prey -- the bottles are a far cry from the placid villas and languorous ladies plastered across so many wines.

— ABC News, ABC News, 22 June 2026
Their first statement signing to launch the project was the €42m purchase of the lanky and languorous Argentine playmaker.

— James Horncastle, New York Times, 2 June 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

In between languid lake swims and sensual forest escapades, old crushes surface and new anxieties rear their heads in this deft portrait of millennial disenchantment.

— Air Mail, Air Mail, 20 June 2026
Four, graciously sized outdoor pools—all carved in local stone and lined with plush loungers—invite long, languid afternoons.

— Denny Lee, Travel + Leisure, 16 June 2026

Definition of languid

Adjective

While no special launch event has been announced, these popular toys will be available at participating restaurants until supplies are exhausted.

— Laura Sirikul, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026
Historical evidence supports this portrayal to some extent, with exhausted monks leaving wry marginal notes.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 July 2026

Definition of exhausted

Adjective

Following a year of historically weak hiring in 2025, hiring rebounded this spring.

— Rachel Barber, USA Today, 2 July 2026
In a weak free-agency class, centers Robert Williams III (Portland) and Mark Williams (Phoenix) are already off the market, each reportedly agreeing to return to their current teams.

— Broderick Turner, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026

Definition of weak

Adjective

His long white oval scleras and perfect-circle black pupils, sometimes open and sometimes closed, are always inexplicably expressive—managing to seem happy, sad, scared, sleepy, shifty, angry, eager, alarmed, mischievous, or murderous.

— Casey Cep, New Yorker, 7 July 2026
Hualde says that some Pamplona residents rue his early promotion of the festival due to the ills of overtourism the sleepy provincial city is now experiencing.

— ABC News, ABC News, 6 July 2026

Definition of sleepy

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“Lackadaisical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lackadaisical. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of lackadaisical

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