LANGUOROUS Synonyms: 64 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

languorous

adjective

ˈlaŋ-gə-rəs

Definition of languorous

as in languid

lacking bodily energy or motivation the drummer's languorous playing caused the rest of the band to keep missing the beat

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 In conversation, Cornish-Dale is cocky but likable, with a languorous way of speaking that reminded me of Simon Cowell. — Helen Lewis, The Atlantic, 14 May 2026 And throughout a 100-minute show, Cain recounted the story of a preacher’s daughter through wailing vocals, haunting drones, and meditative, languorous chants. — Audrey Gibbs, Nashville Tennessean, 3 Sep. 2025 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, 22 June 2026 Cord grass ripples across these languorous northern marshes and, while ships lay wounded and stranded in the former Aral, all that remains of the old Parkgate are some very old photographs, showing frigates, sand, and some very fetching Victorian bathing attire. — Rob Crossan, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for languorous

Recent Examples of Synonyms for languorous

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

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

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
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

Definition of lackadaisical

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

Rats, cockroaches and weasels run amok, tearing through limp tent sheets and biting children and newborn babies in their sleep.

— Sana Noor Haq, CNN Money, 5 July 2026
Of course, London is not short of premium lunch options or businesses built around the idea that office workers will pay for something better than a limp sandwich between meetings.

— Lela London, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026

Definition of limp

Adjective

Unlike much of the group stage, Sunday’s game was a sloppy, sleepy affair, with South Africa relying on some heroic play from its back line to keep the game even.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 28 June 2026
The phone achieved download speeds of 463Mbps and upload speeds of 39Mbps in 5G testing in sleepy suburban areas.

— Florence Ion, PC Magazine, 27 June 2026

Definition of sleepy

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languor

languorous

lank

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

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