Synonyms

spiritless

American

[spir-it-lis] / ˈspɪr ɪt lɪs /

adjective

without spirit.
without ardor, vigor, zeal, animation, etc..

a spiritless reply to criticism.

spiritless British

/ ˈspɪrɪtlɪs /

adjective

lacking courage or liveliness; melancholic

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of spiritless

First recorded in 1560–70; spirit + -less

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Spiritless men have no debts, neither have spiritless nations; nobody will trust them.

From Thrift by Smiles, Samuel

Spiritless and disheartened in their ruined cities, they seemed to have lost all national spirit and even religious enthusiasm.

From A Short History of Germany by Parmele, Mary Platt

Spiritless, and utterly indifferent to what his fate might be, Dick Varley rode along with his head drooping, and keeping his seat almost mechanically, while the mettlesome little steed flew on over wave and hollow.

From The Dog Crusoe and his Master by Ballantyne, R. M. (Robert Michael)

Spiritless and spineless I bore all things, believed all things––but hoped for nothing.

From Our Next-Door Neighbors by Maniates, Belle Kanaris

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023