spiritless

[ spir-it-lis ]

adjective

1. without spirit.
2. without ardor, vigor, zeal, animation, etc.:

   a spiritless reply to criticism.

ˈspiritless

/ ˈspɪrɪtlɪs /

adjective

1. lacking courage or liveliness; melancholic

Derived Forms

• ˈspiritlessness, noun
• ˈspiritlessly, adverb

Other Words From

• spirit·less·ly adverb
• spirit·less·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of spiritless¹

First recorded in 1560–70; spirit + -less

Example Sentences

You don’t have to look further than the pedestrian title to guess that Matt Ruskin’s “Boston Strangler” is a spiritless affair.

From New York Times

The church-going Christian people I know wouldn't waste their precious Earthly moments on this spiritless mess.

From Salon

“Normally, a Wonder set is a buoyant experience that is littered with highlights. But his festival set was mostly flat and spiritless, as if performing there was an obligation rather than a pleasure,” wrote Hunt.

From Los Angeles Times

Another theme is a reenchantment of our spiritless world to arrest the political and ecological crises that empire and patriarchy have reportedly consigned to us.

From New York Times

Unlike their spiritless performance Sunday against New Orleans, which was a new rock bottom in a season with an ever-sinking floor, the Lakers played with plenty of heart against the Mavericks.

From Los Angeles Times