: characterized by lack of interest, energy, or spirit
a listless melancholy attitude
listlessly
adverb
listlessness
noun
Synonyms
Examples of listless in a Sentence
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.
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.
Recent Examples on the Web
Popular on Variety The interview is seen as a crucial test for President Biden, who is under extreme pressure after appearing listless and even confused during a debate telecast by CNN.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 4 July 2024
Everything is executed with precision, if not always grace: the fish in a salmon entrée is cooked to a perfect, tender medium-rare but comes on top of a blobby, listless pile of white and green asparagus.
—Helen Rosner, The New Yorker, 30 June 2024
But eventually, the brain degenerates and sick animals start to drool, stumble and become malnourished and listless.
—George Petras, USA TODAY, 29 Apr. 2024
So why does Nichols’ film feel so lifeless, and so listless?
—Stephanie Zacharek, TIME, 21 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for listless 
Brian Steinberg, Variety, 4 July 2024
Everything is executed with precision, if not always grace: the fish in a salmon entrée is cooked to a perfect, tender medium-rare but comes on top of a blobby, listless pile of white and green asparagus.
—Helen Rosner, The New Yorker, 30 June 2024
But eventually, the brain degenerates and sick animals start to drool, stumble and become malnourished and listless.
—George Petras, USA TODAY, 29 Apr. 2024
So why does Nichols’ film feel so lifeless, and so listless?
—Stephanie Zacharek, TIME, 21 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for listless
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'listless.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near listless
Cite this Entry
“Listless.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/listless. Accessed 7 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
listless
adjective
list·less
ˈlist-ləs 
: too tired or too little interested to want to do things
listlessly
adverb
listlessness
noun
Etymology
Middle English listles "having a lack of desire to act or move," from earlier list "desire, liking"
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