lethargy
noun
leth·ar·gy
ˈle-thər-jē 
1
: abnormal drowsiness
2
: the quality or state of being lazy, sluggish, or indifferent
Synonyms
Examples of lethargy in a Sentence
However, on arrival, a mysterious illness had debilitated Darcus Bowden. An illness that no doctor could find any physical symptoms of, but which manifested itself in the most incredible lethargy, creating in Darcus … a lifelong affection for the dole, the armchair, and British television.
—
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.
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.
Recent Examples on the Web
Symptoms of xylitol poisoning include vomiting, lethargy and seizures, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
—Olivia Munson, USA TODAY, 2 Nov. 2024
The side effects of the contaminants might reveal themselves in the body as mineral depletion, heavy metal overload or lethargy (chronic fatigue, leaky gut, hyperactivity, dissociation, anhedonia).
—Harmony Holiday, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2024
And the ambiguous nature of iron deficiency signs — which can include lethargy, irritability, and pale skin — coupled with the lack of specific recommendations for nonpregnant women, means the condition can be easily overlooked, Weyand said.
—Lourdes Medrano, NPR, 15 Sep. 2024
Anyone who lives at high altitude knows that the side-effects of the thin air—the dizziness, lethargy, and insomnia—go away after your body produces a few billion extra red blood cells.
—Frederick Dreier, Outside Online, 16 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for lethargy 
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Olivia Munson, USA TODAY, 2 Nov. 2024
The side effects of the contaminants might reveal themselves in the body as mineral depletion, heavy metal overload or lethargy (chronic fatigue, leaky gut, hyperactivity, dissociation, anhedonia).
—Harmony Holiday, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2024
And the ambiguous nature of iron deficiency signs — which can include lethargy, irritability, and pale skin — coupled with the lack of specific recommendations for nonpregnant women, means the condition can be easily overlooked, Weyand said.
—Lourdes Medrano, NPR, 15 Sep. 2024
Anyone who lives at high altitude knows that the side-effects of the thin air—the dizziness, lethargy, and insomnia—go away after your body produces a few billion extra red blood cells.
—Frederick Dreier, Outside Online, 16 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for lethargy
Dictionary Entries Near lethargy
Cite this Entry
“Lethargy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lethargy. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
lethargy
noun
leth·ar·gy
ˈleth-ər-jē
1
: abnormal drowsiness
2
: the quality or state of being slow, lazy, or not caring
lethargic
adjective
lə-ˈthär-jik
le-
Medical Definition
lethargy
noun
leth·ar·gy
ˈleth-ər-jē
plural lethargies
1
: abnormal drowsiness
2
: the quality or state of being lazy, sluggish, or indifferent
lethargic
adjective
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