listlessly
3
5.7
- adverb
- /ˈlɪstlɪsli/
- Then she removed the stem and waved it listlessly in the air.
- sat listlessly
- stare listlessly
- walked listlessly
Examples
-
We pulled long-lost sweatshirts from their drawers and wandered listlessly from room to room, cradling the baby.
Fiction book (1990) -
"Then we lost:" Willie looked listlessly out at the dripping trees.
Fiction book (1998) -
Her inner voice cast around listlessly for topics, but none held any interest.
Fiction book (1995) -
The tired leaves hung listlessly, and the grass was as dry as straw.
Academic text (1998) -
By day, he labored listlessly in a shoe store.
-
The rat nation was fleeing, but listlessly, broken and miserable.
Fiction book (1995) -
The attendants would listlessly mumble to the passengers, probably asking them what they wanted to drink.
Fiction book (1997) -
The harness bells jingled listlessly while the horses' hooves thudded on the white gravel.
Fiction book (1995) -
The yellow curtains hung listlessly, and flies became trapped in their folds and buzzed endlessly, monotonously, without hope.
Fiction book (2002) -
After a long night of studying, he sat at his desk listlessly, unable to focus on the words in front of him.
Synonyms
33
3.7
To act in a lazy way without a clear purpose
12
1.2
In a slow relaxed way that uses little energy
4
5.2
In a calm way that shows no strong feeling or interest
3
7.0
In a slow, relaxed way with little energy
2
4.8
In a blank way that shows no interest or thought
2
8.8
In a weak, pale way that shows little energy
1
5.4
In a way that shows no energy or interest
1
8.5
Move or act in a slow, relaxed way with little energy
1
5.6
In a way that shows little interest or energy
1
5.9
In a way that shows no feeling or life
1
6.5
In a dull way without life or interest
1
6.7
Slowly and without energy
1
7.3
In a way that shows no interest or energy
1
9.5
In a lazy, careless way with little interest
1
8.0
In a dull way that shows no interest
1
6.9
Without showing any feeling
1
5.3
In a boring way that does not keep people's attention
1
6.5
In a slow, tired way showing little energy
1
6.0
In a way that shows no interest or concern
1
7.7
In a dull, tired way that shows little energy
1
6.7
In a way that shows no energy or interest
1
7.4
In a way that shows no feeling on the face
1
8.9
In a dull, boring way with little interest
In a dull way that does not interest people
Antonyms
How Energetic
Surface Forms
Etymology
Listlessly comes from an old use of list meaning 'desire' or 'pleasure', plus -less meaning 'without' and -ly which makes the word an adverb. So to act listlessly is to act 'without desire' or energy, which is why it means showing little interest or enthusiasm.