lassitude
noun
Alan Moorehead
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Sick and Tired: The Literal and Figurative Meanings of Lassitude
Lassitude and weariness make an interesting pair. As with many nearly synonymous pairs of words in English, one is derived from Latin and the other from Old English. Even though they both mean “the condition of being tired,” they are used in different ways. Following a common pattern, the Latinate word tends to be used in technical, medical, and formal writing, and the Old English-derived word is used when referring to physical, emotional, and spiritual qualities.
Lassitude comes from the Latin word lassus, meaning “weary.” Our English spelling comes from the French word that developed directly from Latin, borrowed in the 15th century. In French, the word las (masculine) or lasse (feminine) means “weary” or “tired,” and the idiom être las de means “to be sick and tired of.” This led to another English word with the same root: alas, a word that expresses sadness or disappointment, but conveys some measure of fatigue and resignation as well.
Though it sometimes is just a fancy word for fatigue in medical contexts, lassitude is also used in ways that are metaphorical and closer in meaning to “negligence”:
Congress was being choked by pettiness and lassitude.
The case was delayed because of sheer lassitude.
The failure was the result of moral lassitude.
Synonyms
- burnout
- collapse
- exhaustion
- fatigue
- frazzle
- prostration
- tiredness
- weariness
Example Sentences
Katy Waldman, The New Yorker, 22 July 2022 The danger is that Congress will proceed with its traditional lassitude since the Electoral Count Act will not become relevant again until January 6, 2025. Walter Shapiro, The New Republic, 17 June 2022 In the lead-up to a big race, such lassitude can be compounded by a sudden severe case of germophobia, characterized by obsessive hand-washing, decreased displays of physical affection, and reluctance to take care of coughing toddlers. Martin Fritz Huber, Outside Online, 6 Oct. 2021 But the contrast between the strength of the preshow exhibition (all those video eyes, making contact) and the lassitude of the show itself highlights how much even our finest theater artists are struggling to choreograph an actorless space. Helen Shaw, Vulture, 28 July 2021 A quarter of Iran’s population is under the age of 14, close to half are under the age of 40, and almost all are struggling at a time of severe financial austerity and deep political lassitude toward their government, but also forces abroad. Tara Kangarlou, Time, 18 June 2021 The Ethics Committee cannot complete an investigation, or release to the public any details of an investigation, without Democratic and Republican support, which, in our era, helpfully explains its lassitude. Alex Pareene, The New Republic, 7 June 2021 Resistance begins to wane, and lassitude starts to set in. Luc-christophe Guillerm, Scientific American, 16 Apr. 2021 The movie is dogged by wobbly reasoning and dramaturgical lassitude, but at least one actor tries to spice it up. Helen Shaw, Vulture, 24 Mar. 2021 See More Word History
Middle English, from Latin lassitudo, from lassus weary; probably akin to Old English læt late — more at late
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Medical Definition
lassitude
noun
lassitude
noun
Synonyms & Similar Words
- exhaustion
- fatigue
- weariness
- tiredness
- prostration
- collapse
- disablement
- burnout
- lethargy
- debility
- faintness
- feebleness
- impotence
- weakness
- enervation
- languor
- frazzle
- stupor
- infirmity
- inertia
- debilitation
- apathy
- torpidity
- listlessness
- sluggishness
- torpor
- frailty
- passivity
- enfeeblement
- slumber
- passiveness
- frailness
- overfatigue
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- vigor
- refreshment
- vitality
- rejuvenation
- energy
- revitalization
- liveliness
- strength
- dash
- starch
- muscle
- sap
- pep
- potency
- power
- verve
- ginger
- vim
- zip
- drive
- punch
- bounce
- vivacity
- zing
- might
- go
- snap
- rejuvenescence
- briskness
- puissance
- spiritedness
- sprightliness
- jauntiness
- vivaciousness
Synonyms & Similar Words
- boredom
- lethargy
- stupor
- languor
- torpor
- indifference
- fatigue
- listlessness
- laziness
- malaise
- sleepiness
- hebetude
- inaction
- narcosis
- idleness
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- vigor
- vitality
- vivacity
- enthusiasm
- eagerness
- ambition
- vim
- spiritedness
- enterprise
- keenness
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of lassitude are languor, lethargy, stupor, and torpor. While all these words mean "physical or mental inertness," lassitude stresses listlessness or indifference resulting from fatigue or poor health.
Although the words languor and lassitude have much in common, languor suggests inertia induced by an enervating climate or illness or love.
The words lethargy and lassitude can be used in similar contexts, but lethargy implies such drowsiness or aversion to activity as is induced by disease, injury, or drugs.
While the synonyms stupor and lassitude are close in meaning, stupor implies a deadening of the mind and senses by shock, narcotics, or intoxicants.
In some situations, the words torpor and lassitude are roughly equivalent. However, torpor implies a state of suspended animation as of hibernating animals but may suggest merely extreme sluggishness.