lethargy
noun
Synonyms
- hebetude
- languor
- lassitude
- listlessness
- stupor
- torpor
Example Sentences
Zadie Smith, White Teeth, 2001 Warming himself ever so briefly had shaken away the lethargy and resignation and restored his will to survive. Lois Lowry, The Giver, 1993 Dick Gale drew a long, deep breath. A coldness, a lethargy, an indifference that had weighed upon him for months had passed out of his being. Zane Grey, Desert Gold, 1913 Then it occurred to me that I had shut the window before I had come to bed. I would have got out to make certain on the point, but some leaden lethargy seemed to chain my limbs and even my will. Bram Stoker, Dracula, 1897 St. Clare knew this well; and often, in many a weary hour, he heard that slender, childish voice calling him to the skies, and saw that little hand pointing to him the way of life; but a heavy lethargy of sorrow lay on him,—he could not arise. Harriet Beecher Stowe, Uncle Tom's Cabin, 1852 Symptoms of the disease include loss of appetite and lethargy. I snapped out of my lethargy and began cleaning the house. See More Caitlin O'kane, CBS News, 23 Aug. 2022 Infants are especially vulnerable to hyperthermia, and can suffer from fever, lethargy, and difficulty feeding. Dhruv Khullar, The New Yorker, 25 July 2022 Call it a slump, lethargy, or a stubborn case of the blahs. Samantha Vincenty, SELF, 29 Aug. 2022 Eating every three to four hours helps keep blood sugar consistent and optimizes stomach digestion, prevents lethargy, and could guard against heart health issues. Outside Online, 1 Aug. 2022 In live seals, signs of the disease include lethargy, sneezing, coughing, discharge from the eyes and nose, and seizures, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Bellamy Richardson, PEOPLE.com, 7 July 2022 Other symptoms include lethargy, abnormal behavior, excessive grooming and vocalization, vomiting, diarrhea and anorexia, according to the panel. Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 17 June 2022 Symptoms of other types of strokes (like hemorrhagic strokes, which cause too much blood in the brain) can include lethargy, nausea and vomiting, and a severe headache in the back of the head. Rachel Nall, Msn, SELF, 11 May 2022 Rabies attacks the nervous system of infected mammals, and symptoms can include lethargy, aggressiveness, irritability, convulsions and loss of coordination. oregonlive, 15 Sep. 2021 See More Word History
Middle English litargie, from Medieval Latin litargia, from Late Latin lethargia, from Greek lēthargia, from lēthargos forgetful, lethargic, irregular from lēthē
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Medical Definition
lethargy
noun
lethargy
noun
Synonyms & Similar Words
- boredom
- stupor
- lassitude
- torpor
- languor
- fatigue
- indifference
- listlessness
- laziness
- malaise
- sleepiness
- hebetude
- inaction
- narcosis
- idleness
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- vigor
- vitality
- enthusiasm
- vivacity
- eagerness
- ambition
- vim
- spiritedness
- enterprise
- keenness
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of lethargy are languor, lassitude, stupor, and torpor. While all these words mean "physical or mental inertness," lethargy implies such drowsiness or aversion to activity as is induced by disease, injury, or drugs.
The words languor and lethargy are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, languor suggests inertia induced by an enervating climate or illness or love.
The words lassitude and lethargy can be used in similar contexts, but lassitude stresses listlessness or indifference resulting from fatigue or poor health.
Although the words stupor and lethargy have much in common, stupor implies a deadening of the mind and senses by shock, narcotics, or intoxicants.
The meanings of torpor and lethargy largely overlap; however, torpor implies a state of suspended animation as of hibernating animals but may suggest merely extreme sluggishness.