Synonyms of ennui

ennui

noun

ˌän-ˈwē 

as in boredom

the state of being bored

the kind of ennui that comes from having too much time on one's hands and too little will to find something productive to do

Synonyms & Similar Words

• boredom
• restlessness
• tedium
• weariness
• melancholy
• blahs
• listlessness
• doldrums
• lethargy
• dullness
• indifference
• joylessness
• monotony
• lassitude
• languor
• cheerlessness
• torpidity
• torpor
• apathy
• lifelessness
• languidness
• unconcern
• sameness
• dispiritedness
• monotonousness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• fascination
• absorption
• enchantment
• involvement
• excitement
• immersion
• engagement
• stimulation
• engrossment
• captivation
• bewitchment
• amusement
• animation
• beguilement
• relief
• entertainment
• invigoration
• diversion
• enlivenment

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of ennui

More recently, investigations of financial misdeeds have inspired public ennui. — Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 7 Sep. 2026

And hey, if the superstar was feeling a little low, what better pick-me-up than karaoke with Chrissie Hynde or a heart-to-heart in the ladies’ with ennui expert Lena Dunham? — Ben Jureidini, Vanity Fair, 15 Aug. 2026

The general ennui continued, with Jackie Young and Bueckers getting shots up during replay reviews and timeouts in the third quarter. — Brian Hamilton, New York Times, 26 July 2026

Before there was The Office—British or American—there was Office Space, Mike Judge’s razor-sharp satire of middle-American corporate ennui. — Air Mail, 4 July 2026

Podcast

Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox!