lethargic

adjective

le·thar·gic | \ lə-ˈthär-jik

, le-\

Definition of lethargic

1 : of, relating to, or characterized by laziness or lack of energy : feeling or affected by lethargy : sluggish The patient was weak and lethargic.

2 : indifferent, apathetic The legislature was lethargic in considering the bill.

Other Words from lethargic Synonyms & Antonyms Did You Know? More Example Sentences Learn More about lethargic

Keep scrolling for more

Synonyms & Antonyms for lethargic

Synonyms

dull, inactive, inert, quiescent, sleepy, sluggish, torpid

Antonyms

active

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, he or she was given a drink of water from the river Lethe to forget all about his or her 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 derive from lethe, 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

Photos were taken of the man on Saturday morning attempting to wave off a drone and his movements were reported as being lethargic and slow. — Fox News, "Pennsylvania police in hours-long standoff with man standing on top of old blast furnace," 13 July 2019 Tufford pulled her out her daughter, who was lethargic and hot, but otherwise OK, according to the report. — Joe Mario Pedersen, orlandosentinel.com, "Florida mom accidentally locks baby and keys in hot car; cop shatters glass with hammer to free her," 15 Aug. 2019 Getting lean is great, but this unit wasn’t exactly lethargic. — James Crepea | The Oregonian/oregonlive, oregonlive.com, "5 questions for Oregon at Pac-12 Media Day," 24 July 2019 Poland looked slow and lethargic throughout the first half, with little indication that the players were keen to end a miserable World Cup on a high note with a win. — SI.com, "Japan 0-1 Poland: Samurai Blue Through on Fair Play After Drab Defeat in Volgograd," 28 June 2018 The agency is asking for help from hunters and the public in reporting deer that are: Unusually thin, lethargic, with drooping head and ears. Exhibiting unusual behavior (for example, acting tame around humans and allowing someone to approach). — Detroit Free Press Staff, Detroit Free Press, "'Zombie deer' found in Michigan's Jackson County," 21 June 2018 Logan became lethargic and nauseous, and his rash had spread. — Dan Wine, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Florida boy's frightening brush with venomous caterpillar lands him in ER," 20 June 2018 But important things are missing: his creamy tone lacks projection, languid tempos nearly become lethargic, and over-pedaling turned Rachmaninoff’s colors to black and white. — Marcus Overton, sandiegouniontribune.com, "San Diego Symphony blazes through Shostakovich as Jahja Ling debuts as Conductor Laureate," 21 Apr. 2018 The Trail Blazers backcourt star duo of Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum have been atrocious on both ends of the floor, failing to hit open shots on offense and playing lethargic and disinterested on the defense. — Tim Brown, OregonLive.com, "Do you still believe in this Trail Blazers team? Can Portland come back and win this series?," 18 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'lethargic.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for lethargic

lethargic

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of lethargic

: feeling a lack of energy or a lack of interest in doing things

See the full definition for lethargic in the English Language Learners Dictionary

Keep scrolling for more

lethargic

Definition of lethargic

Other Words from lethargic

Synonyms & Antonyms for lethargic

Did You Know?

Examples of lethargic in a Sentence

First Known Use of lethargic

History and Etymology for lethargic

English Language Learners Definition of lethargic

lethargic

Definition of lethargic

Other Words from lethargic

Synonyms & Antonyms for lethargic

Did You Know?

Examples of lethargic in a Sentence

First Known Use of lethargic

History and Etymology for lethargic

English Language Learners Definition of lethargic

WORD OF THE DAY