spiritless

adjective

spir·​it·​less ˈspir-ət-ləs How to pronounce spiritless (audio)
Synonyms of spiritlessnext
: lacking animation, cheerfulness, or courage
spiritlessly adverb
spiritlessness noun

Synonyms

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Choose the Right Synonym for spiritless

languid, languorous, lackadaisical, listless, spiritless mean lacking energy or enthusiasm.

languid refers to an unwillingness or inability to exert oneself due to fatigue or physical weakness.

was depressed and languid for weeks after surgery

languorous suggests a dreamy boredom and delicacy that avoids unnecessary activity.

languorous cats lying in the sun

lackadaisical implies a carefree indifference marked by half-hearted efforts.

lackadaisical college seniors pretending to study

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 refers to a lack of animation or vigor that gives one's actions and words life.

a spiritless recital of the poem

Examples of spiritless in a Sentence

he was spiritless and depressed for weeks after being fired
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.
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 Yet the club dropped the contest in spiritless fashion, 6-2. — Julian McWilliams, BostonGlobe.com, 12 Aug. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1592, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of spiritless was in 1592

Browse Nearby Words

spirit lamp
spiritless
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Cite this Entry

“Spiritless.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spiritless. Accessed 28 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

spiritless

adjective
spir·​it·​less ˈspir-ət-ləs How to pronounce spiritless (audio)
: lacking courage or energy
spiritlessly adverb
spiritlessness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on spiritless

Nglish: Translation of spiritless for Spanish Speakers

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