Meaning & use
lethargically
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Meaning
adverb
In a slow, tired way, showing little energy or interest in doing anything.
Grammar: Modifies a verb, often after verbs of movement or action: 'She replied lethargically.'
Patterns
- do something lethargically
- move lethargically
- respond lethargically
After the long flight, he moved lethargically through the airport.
The team worked lethargically in the afternoon heat.
She answered the phone lethargically, still half asleep.
Common combinations
- move lethargically
- The injured dog moved lethargically across the yard.
- respond lethargically
- The computer responded lethargically to every command.
- speak lethargically
- He spoke lethargically, as if each word cost him effort.
- work lethargically
- They worked lethargically because nobody had slept well.
Synonyms and how they differ
- sluggishly
- Very close in meaning, but often suggests a heavy, dragging movement rather than a lack of mental energy.
- listlessly
- Focuses more on a lack of interest or enthusiasm than on physical slowness.
- lazily
- Suggests a choice not to make an effort, whereas lethargically often suggests genuine tiredness or illness.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: lethargically or lethally?
lethargically vs lethally
Sounds similar but means 'in a way that can cause death'. 'He was lethally injured' is very different from 'He moved lethargically.'
Practice
Which sentence uses lethargically correctly?
Choose one answer.
'Lethargically' is an adverb describing how an action is done, so it fits 'finished the race lethargically'. Option C wrongly uses it before a noun, and option D wrongly describes a taste.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “lethargically”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.