SPIRITLESS Synonyms: 64 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'spiritless' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of spiritless are lackadaisical , languid , languorous , and listless . While all these words mean "lacking energy or enthusiasm," spiritless refers to a lack of animation or vigor that gives one's actions and words life. // a spiritless recital of the poem

Q: When might 'lackadaisical' be a better fit than 'spiritless'?

In some situations, the words lackadaisical and spiritless are roughly equivalent. However, lackadaisical implies a carefree indifference marked by half-hearted efforts. // lackadaisical college seniors pretending to study

Q: When can 'languid' be used instead of 'spiritless'?

The words languid and spiritless are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, languid refers to an unwillingness or inability to exert oneself due to fatigue or physical weakness. // was depressed and languid for weeks after surgery

Q: When could 'languorous' be used to replace 'spiritless'?

The words languorous and spiritless can be used in similar contexts, but languorous suggests a dreamy boredom and delicacy that avoids unnecessary activity. // languorous cats lying in the sun

Q: In what contexts can 'listless' take the place of 'spiritless'?

Although the words listless and spiritless have much in common, listless suggests a lack of interest caused by physical weakness or dissatisfied boredom. // listless hospital patients // listless children flipping through picture books on a rainy day

spiritless

adjective

ˈspir-ət-ləs

Definition of spiritless

as in listless

lacking bodily energy or motivation he was spiritless and depressed for weeks after being fired

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective spiritless differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of spiritless are lackadaisical, languid, languorous, and listless. While all these words mean "lacking energy or enthusiasm," spiritless refers to a lack of animation or vigor that gives one's actions and words life.

a spiritless recital of the poem

When might lackadaisical be a better fit than spiritless?

In some situations, the words lackadaisical and spiritless are roughly equivalent. However, lackadaisical implies a carefree indifference marked by half-hearted efforts.

lackadaisical college seniors pretending to study

When can languid be used instead of spiritless?

The words languid and spiritless are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, languid refers to an unwillingness or inability to exert oneself due to fatigue or physical weakness.

was depressed and languid for weeks after surgery

When could languorous be used to replace spiritless?

The words languorous and spiritless can be used in similar contexts, but languorous suggests a dreamy boredom and delicacy that avoids unnecessary activity.

languorous cats lying in the sun

In what contexts can listless take the place of spiritless?

Although the words listless and spiritless have much in common, listless suggests a lack of interest caused by physical weakness or dissatisfied boredom.

listless hospital patients

listless children flipping through picture books on a rainy day

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 spiritless The Chiefs turned that spiritless first half into a 28-7 blowout Monday night against the Commanders, opening the second half with touchdown drives of 80, 75 and 94 yards. — Kansas City Star, 28 Oct. 2025 From spiritless spirits to refusing to open up a bar tab, members of Generation Z are continuing to challenge alcohol traditions. — Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 6 Sep. 2025 The Senators looked spiritless days ago in their building Saturday night ahead of Game 4. — Julian McKenzie, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025 Amid the spiritless spirits and a bevy of alcohol-free wines, ciders, and beers, luxury sparkling teas are comfortably the most exciting emerging trend in the low and no-alcohol sphere. — Camille Berry, Vogue, 29 Apr. 2025 Dance sections lacked charm; lyric passages were spiritless; the klezmer episodes in the third movement were strictly goyish. — Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 9 Dec. 2024

Recent Examples of Synonyms for spiritless

Adjective

Marty Zweben Palos Verdes Estates Time for change The Dodgers look completely listless, and waiting for slumping veterans like Teoscar Hernández and Kyle Tucker to snap out of it is a losing strategy.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026
Berterame started up front along with Luis Suarez, but the duo were unable to find the back of the net in a listless first half that remained scoreless as the teams headed to intermission.

— Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of listless

Adjective

Pinterest says Gen Z and Millennials are putting their own spins on trends rather than copying them, a sign that visible under-eyes and lived-in finishes could outlast the tired girl label itself.

— Ashley Lynch, Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 2026
The Republican president looks increasingly tired and running out of steam, has not introduced any major new initiatives and could see the political writing on the wall.

— Joe Battenfeld, Mercury News, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of tired

Adjective

Whitmore appeared in 21 games last season before coach Brian Keefe benched him in early December because of Whitmore’s lack of passing on offense and lackadaisical defense.

— Josh Robbins, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026
Its knit fabric never requires an iron or steamer, and it’s held up through countless washes without pilling despite my lackadaisical approach to laundry.

— Maggie Horton, PEOPLE, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of lackadaisical

Adjective

The heat has caused a fall in nuclear generation, with power plants forced to shut down or reduce production across the region, while wind power generation has been weak over the summer.

— Jenni Reid, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026
The state financial watchdog attributed the disbursement problems to administrative delays, weak project management, and late counterpart funding from the Congolese government.

— Ruben Nyanguila, semafor.com, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of weak

Adjective

The man in the white shirt appears limp as fellow bar patrons walk in to check on him, and the bartender covers her mouth in apparent shock.

— Joe Dwinell, Boston Herald, 24 Aug. 2026
For a more playful touch, try out your bow-tying skills, which can transform limp ropes into sweet, romantic accents.

— Kevin Huynh, InStyle, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of limp

Adjective

Newcastle yearned to win, to fulfil the dream awoken by Keegan — who died of cancer last month — and Isak was part of the team that finally did it, a languid forward with a kiss for a touch who scored at Wembley when Liverpool were beaten.

— George Caulkin, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
Setting the film on the Canadian frontier rather than the American sets it apart from its peers, and the more languid pacing and character-driven plotting continue to distinguish it as a mannered classic.

— David Faris, TheWeek, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of languid

Adjective

Byblos Beach is for languorous lunches; La Réserve à la Plage for understated chic; Loulou Ramatuelle for Parisians-en-vacances chic; and Jardin Tropézina for White Lotus buzz.

— Lanie Goodman, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Aug. 2026
Two of Latin alternative’s gentlest souls combine their heart-on-your-sleeve electronic and indie-folk impulses for a breezy, languorous collaborative record.

— E.R. Pulgar, Pitchfork, 20 July 2026

Definition of languorous

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spiritists

spiritless

spiritlessly

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“Spiritless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spiritless. Accessed 3 Sep. 2026.

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