listlessness

American  

[list-lis-nis] / ˈlɪst lɪs nɪs /

noun

1. the state or condition of having little or no interest in anything.

   When overwhelmed by trauma, you can fall into a state of torpor or listlessness, where you can't even bring yourself to care that you don't care anymore.

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Etymology

Origin of listlessness

listless ( def. ) + -ness ( def. )

Example Sentences

The sight of so many Newcastle players jogging back as goalscorer Adrien Truffert drifted into the box undetected in the 85th minute summed up the listlessness that has gripped them.

From BBC • Apr. 25, 2026

She said veterinary societies and outreach organizations are urging vets to be on the lookout for signs of H5N1 infection, which could include listlessness, conjunctivitis, blindness, neurological symptoms and/or difficulty breathing.

From Los Angeles Times • May 30, 2024

“You could argue that the listlessness is a consequence of a foregone conclusion,” said Pratap Bhanu Mehta, an Indian academician.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 25, 2024

The snappy script pokes fun at the friends’ delusions, connecting them to a listlessness born of extreme privilege.

From New York Times • Jul. 6, 2023

It struck him that the truly characteristic thing about modem life was not its cruelty and insecurity, but simply its bareness, its dinginess, its listlessness.

From "1984" by George Orwell