listless
adjective
list·less ˈlist-ləs 
: characterized by lack of interest, energy, or spirit
a listless melancholy attitude
listlessly adverb
listlessness noun
Synonyms
- enervated
- lackadaisical
- languid
- languishing
- languorous
- limp
- spiritless
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
He became listless, answered in monosyllables, gurgled, drank a great deal of whisky, and looked with hateful eyes at everyone. 
Isaiah Berlin, New York Times Book Review, 12 Apr. 1987 She looked up and saw everyone starting his work. She took out a piece of paper, feeling listless and bored as she did. Louise Fitzhugh, Harriet the Spy, 1964 His blue eyes had lost their colour; they had a listless droop; and his mouth, losing the fulness of youth, was weak and pale. W. Somerset Maugham, Of Human Bondage, 1915 Her pretty face was wan and listless, her hair uncurled—some locks hanging lankly down, and some carelessly twisted round her head. Emily Brontë, Wuthering Heights, 1847 The heat made everyone tired and listless. The party was a listless affair. See More
Isaiah Berlin, New York Times Book Review, 12 Apr. 1987 She looked up and saw everyone starting his work. She took out a piece of paper, feeling listless and bored as she did. Louise Fitzhugh, Harriet the Spy, 1964 His blue eyes had lost their colour; they had a listless droop; and his mouth, losing the fulness of youth, was weak and pale. W. Somerset Maugham, Of Human Bondage, 1915 Her pretty face was wan and listless, her hair uncurled—some locks hanging lankly down, and some carelessly twisted round her head. Emily Brontë, Wuthering Heights, 1847 The heat made everyone tired and listless. The party was a listless affair. See More Recent Examples on the Web For the third consecutive game, the Colts started out flat and listless, unable to respond to any punches the Jaguars threw at them. The Indianapolis Star, 18 Sep. 2022 Britain’s summer has been baking and listless in the main, weeks of bright, wan sunshine, unbroken by rain or any particular hope. Sam Knight, The New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2022 The resulting series is visually striking but dramatically listless, made for those -- and maybe only those -- who already possess degrees in Sandman 101. Brian Lowry, CNN, 5 Aug. 2022 Another example is an elder who seems listless, sad and says little in response to basic questions. Carolyn Rosenblatt, Forbes, 4 Aug. 2022 His younger brother, who usually had a ready smile that dimpled his cheeks and revealed a small gap between his front teeth, was listless and confused. Los Angeles Times, 31 July 2022 Mostly Mozart grew to be perceived as stodgy and listless in this company. New York Times, 20 July 2022 Family members of the victim had gathered Sunday afternoon outside a house on Lakeside Avenue, their movements listless and faces somber. Lea Skene, Baltimore Sun, 20 June 2022 But in Game 4, the Rangers looked alarmingly listless, reverting to some of the sloppy play that characterized the early part of the season. New York Times, 10 May 2022 See More
The Indianapolis Star, 18 Sep. 2022 Britain’s summer has been baking and listless in the main, weeks of bright, wan sunshine, unbroken by rain or any particular hope. Sam Knight, The New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2022 The resulting series is visually striking but dramatically listless, made for those -- and maybe only those -- who already possess degrees in Sandman 101. Brian Lowry, CNN, 5 Aug. 2022 Another example is an elder who seems listless, sad and says little in response to basic questions. Carolyn Rosenblatt, Forbes, 4 Aug. 2022 His younger brother, who usually had a ready smile that dimpled his cheeks and revealed a small gap between his front teeth, was listless and confused. Los Angeles Times, 31 July 2022 Mostly Mozart grew to be perceived as stodgy and listless in this company. New York Times, 20 July 2022 Family members of the victim had gathered Sunday afternoon outside a house on Lakeside Avenue, their movements listless and faces somber. Lea Skene, Baltimore Sun, 20 June 2022 But in Game 4, the Rangers looked alarmingly listless, reverting to some of the sloppy play that characterized the early part of the season. New York Times, 10 May 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English listles, from list entry 2
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined above
Kids Definition
listless
adjective
list·less ˈlist-ləs
: too tired or too little interested to want to do things
listlessness
noun
1
as in boredom
physical or mental inertness following a couple of big mistakes early in the game, the team sank into an uncharacteristic listlessness and was never able to recover the lead Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- boredom
- lethargy
- stupor
- lassitude
- languor
- fatigue
- indifference
- torpor
- laziness
- sleepiness
- malaise
- hebetude
- inaction
- narcosis
- idleness
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- vigor
- vitality
- vivacity
- enthusiasm
- eagerness
- ambition
- vim
- spiritedness
- enterprise
- keenness
2
as in restlessness
the state of being bored we searched desperately for something to jar us out of our listlessness Synonyms & Similar Words
- boredom
- restlessness
- ennui
- weariness
- melancholy
- tedium
- lethargy
- blahs
- joylessness
- dullness
- cheerlessness
- lifelessness
- torpidity
- doldrums
- indifference
- lassitude
- languor
- apathy
- languidness
- torpor
- monotony
- dulness
- unconcern
- sameness
- dispiritedness
- monotonousness
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- absorption
- fascination
- excitement
- engrossment
- involvement
- stimulation
- enchantment
- engagement
- immersion
- bewitchment
- captivation
- amusement
- beguilement
- relief
- animation
- invigoration
- entertainment
- enlivenment
- diversion
3
as in weakness
the quality or state of lacking physical strength or vigor general listlessness is often a side effect of chemotherapy Synonyms & Similar Words
- weakness
- exhaustion
- fatigue
- languor
- enervation
- feebleness
- asthenia
- debility
- faintness
- debilitation
- languidness
- infirmity
- lowness
- injury
- impairment
- enfeeblement
- decay
- fragility
- frailty
- weariness
- wimpiness
- tenderness
- frailness
- lassitude
- disablement
- helplessness
- decrepitude
- breakdown
- prostration
- impotence
- collapse
- powerlessness
- damage
- delicacy
- softness
- invalidism
- incapacitation
- impuissance
- defenselessness
- hurt
- harm
- effeteness
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- vigor
- strength
- vitality
- energy
- hardiness
- robustness
- hardihood
- huskiness
- virility
- muscularity
- stoutness
- fitness
- lustiness
- hardness
- toughness
- ruggedness
- health
- brawniness
- sturdiness
- soundness
- heftiness
- healthiness
- wellness