languor

noun

ˈlaŋ-gər How to pronounce languor (audio)
Definition of languornext
1
as in boredom
physical or mental inertness the beach was packed with sunbathers wallowing in the languor brought on by a scorching summer day

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in weakness
the quality or state of lacking physical strength or vigor the tropical heat sapped our strength, leaving us in a state of unaccustomed languor

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun languor contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of languor are lassitude, lethargy, stupor, and torpor. While all these words mean "physical or mental inertness," languor suggests inertia induced by an enervating climate or illness or love.

languor induced by a tropical vacation

When is it sensible to use lassitude instead of languor?

While the synonyms lassitude and languor are close in meaning, lassitude stresses listlessness or indifference resulting from fatigue or poor health.

a depression marked by lassitude

When can lethargy be used instead of languor?

The meanings of lethargy and languor largely overlap; however, lethargy implies such drowsiness or aversion to activity as is induced by disease, injury, or drugs.

months of lethargy followed my accident

When could stupor be used to replace languor?

The synonyms stupor and languor are sometimes interchangeable, but stupor implies a deadening of the mind and senses by shock, narcotics, or intoxicants.

lapsed into an alcoholic stupor

When might torpor be a better fit than languor?

While in some cases nearly identical to languor, torpor implies a state of suspended animation as of hibernating animals but may suggest merely extreme sluggishness.

a once alert mind now in a torpor

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 languor The companionable dynamics in his scenes with Melling and Kene are a treat and help to leaven the languor that sets in the back-half of the run-time. —Sophie Monks Kaufman, IndieWire, 3 Sep. 2024 By Judy Berman July 31, 2024 7:00 AM EDT Summer languor has set in on the TV calendar this July, as House of the Dragon and Love Island USA—but little else—have captivated viewers fresh off June’s The Bear binge. —Judy Berman, TIME, 31 July 2024 The French Vietnamese director, Tran Anh Hung, is contemporary cinema’s great poet of languor. —Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 9 Feb. 2024 There are two excellent reasons to savor the series, in all of its languor. —Judy Berman, TIME, 4 Apr. 2024 See All Example Sentences for languor
Recent Examples of Synonyms for languor
  1. boredom
  2. weakness
  3. lethargy
  4. exhaustion
  5. stupor
  6. fatigue
  7. lassitude
  8. debility
Noun
  • Puzzle toys and long walks are just two ways to keep your pets happy and ward off boredom.
    — Maddie Topliff, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Apr. 2025
  • These men would have long periods of time being idle, and the contrast between boredom and peril is pretty extreme.
    — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 7 Apr. 2025
Definition of boredom
Noun
  • However, economists say trade deficits aren’t a sign of national weakness.
    — Time, Time, 9 Apr. 2025
  • The dollar strengthened after days of weakness, and oil rose back above $60, starting to climb out of a danger zone.
    — Ben Berkowitz, Axios, 8 Apr. 2025
Definition of weakness
Noun
  • Signs of avian flu include sneezing, nasal discharge, diarrhea, lethargy, reduced appetite, swelling, or sudden death.
    — Lauren Thomann, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Mar. 2025
  • Symptoms start with lethargy, loss of appetite and fever.
    — Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 11 Mar. 2025
Definition of lethargy
Noun
  • Pasadena Unified School District, roiled by years of declining enrollment and grappling with the exhaustion of pandemic-era federal funds, needed to slash $12 million from its budget — and the school board had just voted to send out preliminary layoff notices to dozen of teachers.
    — Daniel Miller, Los Angeles Times, 14 Mar. 2025
  • The emotional toll of self-abandonment can be severe, leading to resentment, exhaustion and anxiety.
    — Mark Travers, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025
Definition of exhaustion
Noun
  • In 1994 of this reimagined America, Michelle (Brown) is a rebellious foster teen who lost her family in a car accident and wants nothing to do with people, most of whom mainly exist in a VR stupor powered by Skate’s Apple-esque mega company.
    — Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 14 Mar. 2025
  • But Billy seems to be coming out of his post-Claudia stupor and recognizes that Olympia is picking Matty for her big assignments repeatedly.
    — Noel Murray, Vulture, 30 Jan. 2025
Definition of stupor
Noun
  • Regardless, that doesn’t stop many doctors, fitness professionals, and physical therapists from recommending Epsom salts in the treatment of muscle pain and fatigue.
    — Alice Nardiotti, Vogue, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Arteta understandably is more risk-averse in knockout European ties, but Premier League matches sometimes need to be forcibly opened up — even at the risk of fatigue or becoming defensively compromised.
    — Liam Tharme, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2025
Definition of fatigue
Noun
  • But neither was there the ho-hum, dutiful lassitude that usually accompanies second inaugurations, like Barack Obama’s in 2013.
    — James Poniewozik, New York Times, 21 Jan. 2025
  • Wakefield-Scurr’s discoveries have helped rupture the long-standing lassitude.
    — Megan Feringa, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2025
Definition of lassitude
Noun
  • The shadow of death and debility haunted American women throughout the nineteenth century.
    — Jenny Noyce, JSTOR Daily, 28 June 2024
  • President Biden’s troubles — lingering inflation, wars and rumors of wars, his debility — could have benefited any Republican.
    — David Harsanyi, National Review, 25 Jan. 2024
Definition of debility

Browse Nearby Words

languishments
languor
languorous
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Languor.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/languor. Accessed 18 Apr. 2025.

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Nglish: Translation of languor for Spanish Speakers

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