lethargically
gb/lˈɛθˈɑɹd͡ʒɪkəli/ us/lˈɛθˈɑɹd͡ʒɪkəli/
C1
English
Senses
0 senses
adverb
C1
property
1
in a tired, sluggish way
in a very tired and slow way
Usage pattern:
[someone] moves/walks/speaks [lethargically]
Common mistake:
Often misspelled as *letargically*. Also overused where simple *slowly* is enough; *lethargically* implies low energy or listlessness.
Synonyms
sluggishly (Very close; emphasizes slow movement and low energy.)
|
listlessly (Emphasizes lack of interest or motivation as well as low energy.)
|
wearily (Focuses more on tiredness than on slowness.)
Antonyms
energetically (With lots of energy and effort.)
|
briskly (Quickly and actively, especially in movement.)
Collocations
move lethargically
|walk lethargically
|trudge lethargically
|drag oneself lethargically
|speak lethargically
|respond lethargically
|blink lethargically
|stir lethargically
|yawn lethargically
|nod lethargically
Themes
health
|daily_life
|movement
|emotions
Examples
- After the flight, he shuffled lethargically to the baggage claim.
- The dog lay in the shade, panting and lifting its head lethargically.
- With a fever, she answered questions lethargically and closed her eyes again.
Learner examples
- I walked lethargically because I was sick.
- He spoke lethargically after a long day.
adverb
C1
property
2
slowly and without enthusiasm
slowly and with little activity or interest
Usage pattern:
[something] progresses/changes/recovers [lethargically]
Common mistake:
Don’t use it for neutral delay alone; it usually suggests inactivity or dullness (people, systems, markets).
Synonyms
slowly (Neutral speed; does not necessarily imply low energy or lack of interest.)
|
lackadaisically (Stresses a careless, unconcerned attitude.)
|
apathetically (Stresses lack of interest or feeling, not just slowness.)
Antonyms
vigorously (With force and active effort.)
|
rapidly (At high speed; focuses on speed rather than energy.)
Collocations
the economy grows lethargically
|sales rise lethargically
|the market reacts lethargically
|progress remains lethargically slow
|a recovery proceeds lethargically
|the discussion moved lethargically
|the project advanced lethargically
|traffic flowed lethargically
|the system runs lethargically
|a campaign started lethargically
Themes
business
|daily_life
|technology
|economy
Examples
- The economy expanded lethargically for most of the year.
- The team started lethargically, and the meeting took an hour to get moving.
- After the update, the app loaded lethargically on older phones.
Learner examples
- The project moved lethargically this month.
- The market reacted lethargically to the news.
Grammar
Dictionary form
lethargically
IPA
GB/lˈɛθˈɑɹd͡ʒɪkəli/
US/lˈɛθˈɑɹd͡ʒɪkəli/
Syllables & stress
leth - ar - gic - ally (4 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (leth)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: lethargically
- Plural: lethargicallies
Word family
Expressions
No expressions linked to this entry yet.