Definitions

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.

“We cherish pleasure,” the authors write unabashedly, “and believe a politics without it will be unattractive, drab, listless, and doomed to failure.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 2026

England came into the game on the back of listless losses against Scotland, Ireland and Italy, but were revived, performing with energy and invention that had gone missing for much of their campaign.

From BBC • Mar. 14, 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

In the 2016 interview with Mecurio, Nick said that he was listless and that “I had nothing to fill my time. I had nothing to look forward to.”

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 16, 2025

The Cowboy skippered the boat; Otto sketched and fished; Perry baited hooks, daydreamed, sang, and sometimes fished; Dick did nothing—only moaned, complained of the motion, lay about sun-drugged and listless, like a lizard at siesta.

From "In Cold Blood" by Truman Capote

Vocabulary lists containing listless

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