Torpid — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective /ˈtȯr-pəd/ tor·pid

Meaning & Definition of Torpid

Torpid (adjective)

  1. sluggish in functioning or acting
  2. having lost motion or the power of exertion or feeling, numb
  3. exhibiting or characterized by torpor, dormant

Torpid (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. slow to move or act

    "a torpid sloth that refused to budge off its tree branch"

    similar: dull, inactive, inert, lethargic, quiescent, sleepy, sluggish
    related: ambitionless, apathetic, indolent, languorous, lazy, lazyish, listless, shiftless, slack, slothful, sluggard, sluggardly, dormant, inanimate, motionless, resting, sedentary, static, still, dead, dopey, drugged, asleep, drowsy, somnambulant, catatonic, comatose
    opposite: active
    near: busy, engaged, occupied, working, animated, bouncing, dynamic, energetic, kinetic, lively, peppy, perky, spirited, sprightly, springy, vigorous, vital, vivacious, zippy, assiduous, diligent, hardworking, industrious, sedulous

  2. lacking in sensation or feeling

    "my tongue and throat remained torpid for a time following the endoscopy"

    similar: asleep, benumbed, dead, insensitive, numb, numbed, unfeeling
    related: chilled, nipped, anesthetized, cocainized, deadened, drugged, stupefied, blunted, dulled, obtunded, insensible, senseless, unconscious, inanimate, insensate
    opposite: feeling, sensible, sensitive
    near: awake

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Torpid

The most common words with a similar meaning to Torpid:

dull, inactive, inert, lethargic, quiescent, sleepy, sluggish, asleep, benumbed, dead, insensitive, numb, numbed, unfeeling

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Torpid

Words with the opposite meaning of Torpid:

active, feeling, sensible, sensitive

Related Words for Torpid

ambitionless, apathetic, indolent, languorous, lazy, lazyish, listless, shiftless, slack, slothful, sluggard, sluggardly, dormant, inanimate, motionless, resting, sedentary, static, still, dopey, drugged, drowsy, somnambulant, catatonic, comatose, chilled, nipped, anesthetized, cocainized, deadened

Near Antonyms of Torpid

busy, engaged, occupied, working, animated, bouncing, dynamic, energetic, kinetic, lively, peppy, perky, spirited, sprightly, springy, vigorous, vital, vivacious, zippy, assiduous, diligent, hardworking, industrious, sedulous, awake

Word Forms of Torpid

Derived words: torpidity (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Torpid

Middle English, "inattentive, lazy," borrowed from Latin torpidus "numbed, paralyzed," adjective derivative corresponding to the stative verb torpēre "to be numb, lack sensation, be struck motionless, be sluggish or lethargic," going back to dialectal Indo-European *tr̥p-eh2- (whence also Old Church Slavic trĭpěti "to be patient, suffer," Lithuanian tirpstù, tir͂pti "to become stiff, lose feeling, fall asleep [of limbs]"), zero-grade derivative of a verbal base perhaps seen also in the Germanic adjective *þerba- (from *terp-o-), whence Old English þeorf "unleavened," Old Frisian therve, derve "rough, violent," Old High German therp, derp "unleavened," Old Icelandic þjarfr "unleavened, fresh (of water), insipid, flat"

First known use: 15th century

Frequently Asked Questions about Torpid

What does "Torpid" mean?

"Torpid" means sluggish in functioning or acting. As an adjective, it is defined as: sluggish in functioning or acting. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Torpid"?

Other words for "Torpid" include dull, inactive, inert, lethargic, quiescent, sleepy, sluggish and asleep. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Torpid" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Torpid"?

There are 52 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Torpid". Common alternatives include dull, inactive, inert, lethargic, quiescent, sleepy, sluggish, asleep, benumbed and dead.

What is the opposite of "Torpid"?

Antonyms of "Torpid" include active, feeling, sensible and sensitive. Near antonyms include busy, engaged, occupied and working.

How do you use "Torpid" in a sentence?

Examples of "Torpid" in a sentence: "a torpid sloth that refused to budge off its tree branch"; "my tongue and throat remained torpid for a time following the endoscopy".

Is "Torpid" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Torpid" is an adjective.

How do you pronounce "Torpid"?

"Torpid" is pronounced /ˈtȯr-pəd/ and divided into syllables as tor·pid.

What is the origin of the word "Torpid"?

"Torpid" comes from Middle English, "inattentive, lazy," borrowed from Latin torpidus "numbed, paralyzed," adjective derivative corresponding to the stative verb torpēre "to be numb, lack sensation, be struck motionless, be sluggish or lethargic," going back to dialectal Indo-European *tr̥p-eh2- (whence also Old Church Slavic trĭpěti "to be patient, suffer," Lithuanian tirpstù, tir͂pti "to become stiff, lose feeling, fall asleep [of limbs]"), zero-grade derivative of a verbal base perhaps seen also in the Germanic adjective *þerba- (from *terp-o-), whence Old English þeorf "unleavened," Old Frisian therve, derve "rough, violent," Old High German therp, derp "unleavened," Old Icelandic þjarfr "unleavened, fresh (of water), insipid, flat". First known use: 15th century.