Synonym Chooser

How does the noun torpor contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of torpor are languor, lassitude, lethargy, and stupor. While all these words mean "physical or mental inertness," torpor implies a state of suspended animation as of hibernating animals but may suggest merely extreme sluggishness.

a once alert mind now in a torpor

In what contexts can languor take the place of torpor?

The words languor and torpor are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, languor suggests inertia induced by an enervating climate or illness or love.

languor induced by a tropical vacation

When can lassitude be used instead of torpor?

While in some cases nearly identical to torpor, lassitude stresses listlessness or indifference resulting from fatigue or poor health.

a depression marked by lassitude

When would lethargy be a good substitute for torpor?

In some situations, the words lethargy and torpor are roughly equivalent. However, lethargy implies such drowsiness or aversion to activity as is induced by disease, injury, or drugs.

months of lethargy followed my accident

When is stupor a more appropriate choice than torpor?

While the synonyms stupor and torpor are close in meaning, stupor implies a deadening of the mind and senses by shock, narcotics, or intoxicants.

lapsed into an alcoholic stupor

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 torpor Amid the torpor of their burgeoning love, the corpses start to stack up. Chris Lee, Vulture, 22 Mar. 2024 The current two parties have been unable to deal with the resulting mounting debt and economic torpor. R. Glenn Hubbard, Foreign Affairs, 11 June 2013 But the tryptophan/carb combo is only part of the reason for your torpor. Nick Stockton, WIRED, 28 Nov. 2024 Throughout months of hibernation, these 2-3 week periods of torpor are interspersed with one or two day bouts of arousal. Lauren Leffer, Popular Science, 28 Nov. 2024 See All Example Sentences for torpor
Recent Examples of Synonyms for torpor
Noun
  • That charge was later dropped to operating a vehicle with wanton disregard, for which he was fined $250.
    Sharon Coolidge, The Enquirer, 3 July 2025
  • All three movies are packed with dinosaurs—dinosaurs running, dinosaurs being sad and winsome, dinosaurs showing ruthless disregard for human life.
    Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 30 June 2025
Noun
  • As seen only in the episodes, the major arcs of this season of Love Island have been tedious to the point of boredom.
    Kathryn VanArendonk, Vulture, 9 July 2025
  • This can stem from boredom or a desire for stimulation, or even a territorial instinct to protect the dog's territory against intruders.
    Maria Morava, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 July 2025
Noun
  • Super-sized Opportunities Workplace crises can be proactively prevented (or eventually explained) by tackling incentives, incompetence and indifference with stewardship, capability and care.
    Noah Barsky, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
  • Causing a Stink After asking the dog's owner, Rick, to address the issue, the original poster (OP) was met with indifference.
    Darlin Tillery, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 July 2025
Noun
  • Individuals experiencing more severe infections may experience high fever, aches, headaches, lethargy, rashes, and blood in urine.
    Matthew Robinson, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 July 2025
  • At its best, though, White Zombie turns its lethargy into something akin to a surreal dream whose nightmarish qualities are slow but undeniable and inescapable.
    James Grebey, Time, 20 June 2025
Noun
  • Raúl Jiménez brought the crowd out of its stupor less than two minutes into the second half, chasing a through ball from Santiago Giménez into the penalty area, then finishing with his right foot from the edge of the six-yard box to double the lead.
    Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 15 June 2025
  • The soup throwers and activists blindfolding statues hope to wake us from our climate stupor.
    Marianne Krasny, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Torpor.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/torpor. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on torpor

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!