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.

---

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

It wasn’t until after “Suits” wrapped, and pandemic-forced listlessness set in, that Korsh felt motivated to explore the idea on the page.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 17, 2025

“It has led to listlessness in the L.G.B.T. movement,” he wrote.

From New York Times • Feb. 7, 2023

If they only attend private schools and all their peers expect to inherit, they might suffer from Rory Gilmore’s listlessness.

From Slate • Jan. 17, 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