-lessness
suffix
UK/ˈlɛs.nəs/ or /ˈlɛs.nɪs/US/ˈlɛs.nəs/ or /ˈlɛs.nɪs/
Used to form abstract nouns indicating the state or condition of being completely without a particular quality or attribute. Derived from '-less' (meaning ‘without’) plus the noun-forming suffix ‘-ness.’ Examples include ‘hopelessness’ (the state of having no hope), ‘powerlessness’ (the condition of having no power), and ‘meaninglessness’ (the quality of having no meaning).
Example Sentences
Hopelessness can drain a person’s motivation, making ordinary tasks feel insurmountable.
In moments of complete powerlessness, it is vital to reach out to friends or professionals for support.
He was struck by the meaninglessness of his daily routine, prompting him to seek new goals and experiences in life.
Her loneliness stemmed from job-related isolation and a growing sense of friendlessness in the big city.
Limitlessness sounds appealing at first, but having no boundaries can sometimes create confusion about what to pursue next.
Their homelessness was a temporary setback, yet the couple remained resilient and found help through local community programs and shelters.
The concept of weightlessness intrigued the scientist, who spent years studying how objects behave under zero gravity and discovered novel methods for simulating that environment in terrestrial labs to deepen our understanding of human physiology, material science, and engineering under space-like conditions.
In searching for meaningful connections, she realized that her sense of directionlessness was, in fact, an opportunity to explore new possibilities—giving her a reason to embrace trial and error, gain diverse experiences, and eventually discover the path that resonated most strongly with her aspirations.
Thesaurus
Synonyms
How to Use
A suffix meaning 'the state of being without' or 'lack of.'The suffix '-lessness' is used to form nouns that indicate the state or condition of being without something or lacking a specific quality. Examples include 'hopelessness' (the state of being without hope), 'carelessness' (lack of care), and 'helplessness' (the condition of being unable to help oneself). It describes the absence or deprivation of a particular characteristic or quality.
Alternatives
Alternatives to '-lessness' include phrases like 'state of lacking' or 'absence of,' such as 'absence of hope' for 'hopelessness.'
Writing
In writing, '-lessness' is useful for forming abstract nouns that describe the condition of lacking something. For instance, 'timelessness' refers to the quality of being unaffected by time.
Casual Conversation
In casual conversation, '-lessness' is less common, but terms like 'hopelessness' or 'carelessness' are widely understood and used to describe negative states or conditions.
