lackadaisical

adjective

ˌla-kə-ˈdā-zi-kəl How to pronounce lackadaisical (audio)
Definition of lackadaisicalnext
as in listless
lacking bodily energy or motivation feeling particularly lackadaisical in the summer heat, they lazily tossed a ball back and forth

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective lackadaisical differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of lackadaisical are languid, languorous, listless, and spiritless. While all these words mean "lacking energy or enthusiasm," lackadaisical implies a carefree indifference marked by half-hearted efforts.

lackadaisical college seniors pretending to study

Where would languid be a reasonable alternative to lackadaisical?

The meanings of languid and lackadaisical largely overlap; however, languid refers to an unwillingness or inability to exert oneself due to fatigue or physical weakness.

was depressed and languid for weeks after surgery

In what contexts can languorous take the place of lackadaisical?

Although the words languorous and lackadaisical have much in common, languorous suggests a dreamy boredom and delicacy that avoids unnecessary activity.

languorous cats lying in the sun

When is listless a more appropriate choice than lackadaisical?

While the synonyms listless and lackadaisical are close in meaning, 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

When could spiritless be used to replace lackadaisical?

While in some cases nearly identical to lackadaisical, spiritless refers to a lack of animation or vigor that gives one's actions and words life.

a spiritless recital of the poem

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of lackadaisical The Timberwolves started 8 of 13 from 3-point range, posted a 40-point first quarter and ballooned their lead to 17 points late in the second quarter before a lackadaisical start to the second half. —CBS News, 21 Feb. 2026 The Longhorns will have to tighten up their defense after two lackadaisical efforts. —Thomas Jones, Austin American Statesman, 21 Feb. 2026 Some regard sociology as a gut major that caters to lackadaisical students. —Wendy Nelson Espeland, Mercury News, 11 Feb. 2026 The defense was lackadaisical at best, while the offense wasn’t much better. —Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 7 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for lackadaisical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lackadaisical
  1. listless
  2. tired
  3. languorous
  4. spiritless
  5. languid
  6. exhausted
  7. weak
  8. sleepy
Adjective
  • The Avs countered with a listless first period.
    — Troy Renck, Denver Post, 14 May 2026
  • The latest instance was a listless 5-0 loss in the finale of a series against the Reds, who took two of three against them at Great American Ball Park, dropping their record to 16-25.
    — Matt Kawahara, Houston Chronicle, 10 May 2026
Definition of listless
Adjective
  • The film, which stars Hannah Einbinder as a filmmaker tasked with revamping a tired summer camp horror franchise with its cryptic lead played by Gillian Anderson in tow, is set to make its way to theaters this August.
    — Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 14 May 2026
  • Each day, after teaching classes for a local extension office, taking online courses and caring for everyone, Denise is just tired.
    — Jayme Fraser, USA Today, 14 May 2026
Definition of tired
Adjective
  • But, for those looking for something a bit more low-key with the languorous pace of the south, there’s always Puglia.
    — Angela Tafoya, Vogue, 18 May 2026
  • In conversation, Cornish-Dale is cocky but likable, with a languorous way of speaking that reminded me of Simon Cowell.
    — Helen Lewis, The Atlantic, 14 May 2026
Definition of languorous
Adjective
  • The Chiefs turned that spiritless first half into a 28-7 blowout Monday night against the Commanders, opening the second half with touchdown drives of 80, 75 and 94 yards.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 28 Oct. 2025
  • From spiritless spirits to refusing to open up a bar tab, members of Generation Z are continuing to challenge alcohol traditions.
    — Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 6 Sep. 2025
Definition of spiritless
Adjective
  • Inside the White House complex, a slightly languid mood, typical during a President’s foreign trip, prevailed.
    — Antonia Hitchens, New Yorker, 14 May 2026
  • Summer was made for slow, languid days and stories that linger long after the final page.
    — Michael Schaub, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2026
Definition of languid
Adjective
  • But crucially, people are very exhausted by the amount of noise online and by AI slop.
    — Angela Yang, NBC news, 15 May 2026
  • For just one example of how this firehose of data is expected to transform our understanding of the cosmos, consider supernovas, the brilliant death throes of exhausted stars.
    — Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 15 May 2026
Definition of exhausted
Adjective
  • Free agency is weak, so the best bet will be the trade market.
    — Michael Russo, New York Times, 15 May 2026
  • The original vision of the Accords – of a rapidly expanding regional bloc openly aligned with Israel and integrated economically across the Middle East – has become a significantly weaker prospect.
    — Chas Newkey-Burden, TheWeek, 15 May 2026
Definition of weak
Adjective
  • Tucked into the sleepy hillside village of Agra, the home was originally commissioned as a vacation house for Milanese entrepreneur Luigi Cattaneo.
    — Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 13 May 2026
  • Memory has been the biggest theme of late due to a global shortage that's driven up prices and turned Micron, a 47-year-old company tucked in a sleepy corner of the semiconductor market, into one of the hottest trades over the past 12 months.
    — Samantha Subin, CNBC, 8 May 2026
Definition of sleepy

Browse Nearby Words

lack
lackadaisical
lackadaisically
See all Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Lackadaisical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lackadaisical. Accessed 23 May. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on lackadaisical

Nglish: Translation of lackadaisical for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of expedite

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

5 Verbal Slip Ups and Language Mistakes

Regarding the Incorrect Use of 'Decimate'

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Strange Words for Body Functions

Where does 'curiosity killed the cat' come from?

What to Call the Inept, Incompetent, and Inferior

The Words of the Week - May 22

Insults and Compliments from Recent Slang
See More

Popular

See More

5 Verbal Slip Ups and Language Mistakes

Strange Words for Body Functions

Where does 'curiosity killed the cat' come from?
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
puzzle-piece-road
Missing Link Quiz May 2026 Five seconds to figure out the word that fits bot...
See All