listless

[list-lis] / ˈlɪst lɪs /

ADJECTIVE

spiritless, without energy

Synonyms

STRONGEST

drowsy dull inert lackadaisical languid leaden lethargic lifeless lukewarm passive sleepy sluggish

WEAK

absent abstracted apathetic blah bored careless dormant dreamy easygoing energyless enervated faint heavy heedless impassive inanimate inattentive indifferent indolent insouciant lagging laid-back languishing languorous limp lymphatic mopish neutral out of it phlegmatic slack slow stupid supine thoughtless torpid uninterested vacant

Antonyms

STRONGEST

active alert alive animated awake energetic enthusiastic lively spirited vivacious

WEAK

attentive untired

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The opening ballad, “Risk It All,” is pretty but listless, with Mr. Mars singing over a gently plucked nylon-string guitar until a relaxed syncopated groove folds in.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 3, 2026

A grim run was capped by a listless second-round exit at the US Open weeks later.

From BBC • Feb. 1, 2026

The market’s listless days may be over now.

From Barron's • Jan. 17, 2026

The Treasury market moved in a listless fashion on Tuesday in response to the U.S. intervention in Venezuela — with traders more focused on a busy calendar week that includes Friday’s jobs report for December.

From MarketWatch • Jan. 6, 2026

He was so listless and cold that the three mutes in the bowler hats looked at him queerly.

From "The Heart is a Lonely Hunter" by Carson McCullers

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