languorous

adjective

ˈlaŋ-gə-rəs How to pronounce languorous (audio)
Definition of languorousnext
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 Such languorous scenes led one of my friends, a seasoned war reporter, to remark that the film was short on action, and its pace is undeniably slower than the typical war documentary. —Simon Shuster, TIME, 14 Feb. 2025 Steeped in the pleasantly lazy atmosphere of the title setting, the film is languorous, but not long. —Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 25 Jan. 2025 Ghia Le Spritz Variety 12-Pack $145 Ghia A wanderlust-inducing coffee table book Il Dolce Far Niente, or the sweetness of doing nothing, is effortlessly captured in this mesmerizing photo book cataloging a languorous Italian summer by Lucy Laucht. —Sophie Dodd, Bon Appétit, 11 Dec. 2024 That’s why a noirish tenor sax snakes through the suite’s middle (played with languorous sensuality by PRISM Quartet’s Timothy McAllister), set to a lyre-like harp accompaniment. —Hannah Edgar, Chicago Tribune, 9 Nov. 2024 See All Example Sentences for languorous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for languorous
  1. languid
  2. listless
  3. lackadaisical
  4. tired
  5. spiritless
  6. exhausted
  7. sleepy
  8. limp
Adjective
  • Once Upon a Time in Gaza is fairly tame, even a bit languid, in its opening sequences, until a corrupt cop (Ramzi Maqdisi) barges in to get a piece of Osama’s business.
    — Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 19 May 2025
  • With its sprawling greens and languid creek, Charlotte’s Quail Hollow Club is a suitable host for this year’s PGA Championship.
    — Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 15 May 2025
Definition of languid
Adjective
  • The listless Yankees stranded a total of four runners and went 0-for-5 with men in scoring position.
    — Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 24 May 2025
  • Game 6 was so confounding because the Celtics just looked listless from the start.
    — The Athletic NBA Staff, New York Times, 17 May 2025
Definition of listless
Adjective
  • Now then, some angry pundits will excoriate you for being so lackadaisical.
    — Lance Eliot, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025
  • With over 70 beaches—the most of any Greek island—Milos is a destination for those seeking lackadaisical days spent lounging in and out of cerulean waters.
    — Elise Taylor, Vogue, 16 Apr. 2025
Definition of lackadaisical
Adjective
  • While infants and toddlers between the ages of 0 to 2 years are more likely to experience a stuffy nose, cough, poor appetite, fussiness, and sleep problems, children between the ages of 3 to 5 years mainly complain of sleepiness, feeling tired during daytime, low energy and dry cough.
    — Anuradha Varanasi, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025
  • Family members said Jacobs had talked about feeling tired, but not about wanting to take his own life.
    — Ames Alexander, Charlotte Observer, 30 May 2025
Definition of tired
Adjective
  • The Senators looked spiritless days ago in their building Saturday night ahead of Game 4.
    — Julian McKenzie, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025
  • Amid the spiritless spirits and a bevy of alcohol-free wines, ciders, and beers, luxury sparkling teas are comfortably the most exciting emerging trend in the low and no-alcohol sphere.
    — Camille Berry, Vogue, 29 Apr. 2025
Definition of spiritless
Adjective
  • Some of them wanted to dance, some spent time with their families, others just looked exhausted.
    — Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 22 May 2025
  • But now, a quieter trend is taking hold in exhausted households nationwide: revenge meals.
    — Christine Michel Carter, Parents, 20 May 2025
Definition of exhausted
Adjective
  • When Tommy leaves to bring his sleepy son home, Maria revisits her and Joel’s conversation about refugees.
    — Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 18 May 2025
  • Photos of my kid's birthday parties are no longer me with bleary, sleepy drinking eyes.
    — Megan Cartwright, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 May 2025
Definition of sleepy
Adjective
  • Disregard the packet’s rigid instructions — boiling them for exactly two minutes risks either a limp, lifeless tangle or an unpleasantly chewy bite.
    — The Learning Network, New York Times, 20 May 2025
  • If the stalks are limp, rubbery, blemished, or dry and wood-like, and the tips mushy and discolored, then take a pass.
    — Catharine Kaufman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 May 2025
Definition of limp

Browse Nearby Words

languor
languorous
lank
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Languorous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/languorous. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.

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