lethargic

adjective

le·thar·gic lə-ˈthär-jik

le-

Synonyms of lethargic next

: of, relating to, or characterized by laziness or lack of energy : feeling or affected by lethargy : sluggish

The patient was weak and lethargic.

: indifferent, apathetic

The legislature was lethargic in considering the bill.

lethargically

lə-ˈthär-ji-k(ə-)lē

le-

adverb

Did you know?

In Greek mythology, Lethe was the name of a river in the underworld that was also called "the River of Unmindfulness" or "the River of Forgetfulness." Legend held that when someone died, they were given a drink of water from the river Lethe to forget all about their past life. Eventually this act of forgetting came to be associated with feelings of sluggishness, inactivity, or indifference. The name of the river and the word lethargic, as well as the related noun lethargy, all come from lēthē, Greek for "forgetfulness."

Examples of lethargic in a Sentence

You'll need to move your lure as slowly as possible to tempt the lethargic fish into feeding … —

Lenny Rudow, Boating, December 1997

… became a drifter and for a time an alcoholic and finally lapsed into lethargic self-abasement. —

Stanley Karnow, New York Times Book Review, 14 Oct. 1984

The audience was cold and lethargic. It is true there were about fifty-seven applauses, but they were not roars of enthusiasm by any means. —

Lady Bird Johnson 12 Jan. 1966, in A White House Diary, 1970

The patient is weak and lethargic. a big meal always makes me feel lethargic and sleepy

Recent Examples on the Web

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.

There were lethargic possessions that led to poor shots in the second half against Utah State. —

Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Jan. 2025 For months, experts have been concerned that public health authorities have been lethargic in their response to the burgeoning pandemic, and that public safety has taken a back seat to agricultural interests. —

Melissa Gomez, Los Angeles Times, 6 Jan. 2025 The surprising performance included two fouls in the first seven minutes for Queen that saddled him with more turnovers (two) than points (zero) and rebounds (zero) and lethargic performances by Gillespie (zero points and two turnovers) and Miguel (three points on 1 of 6 shooting). —

Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 3 Jan. 2025 The cat, shivering, lethargic and in shock, was taken indoors, toweled off and wrapped up in blankets. —

Natalie Neysa Alund, USA TODAY, 19 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for lethargic