limply
/ˈlɪmpli/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈlɪmpli/ (ame, ipa)
limply — adverb
1. in a relaxed or loose way that shows a lack of strength, energy, or tension — fo
in a relaxed or loose way that shows a lack of strength, energy, or tension — for example, when a person's arm falls to their side because they are too tired to hold it up, or when a piece of cloth hangs without any firmness or shape
Her hair hung limply around her face in the humid weather.
collocation: hang limply
The injured bird's wing drooped limply at its side.
collocation: droop limply
After running ten kilometres, Diego collapsed limply onto the grass.
The flag on the pole hung limply because there was no wind.
The old man's hand dropped limply back onto the bed when he tried to lift it.
- weakly
more general term; can describe lack of physical strength or force in any action
- feebly
suggests weakness caused by illness, age, or exhaustion; stronger connotation of frailty
- lifelessly
emphasises a complete lack of energy or vitality, as if something has no life in it
- stiffly
opposite of limp or relaxed; describes something held rigid and tight
- firmly
suggests strength and solidness rather than looseness
- energetically
opposite of the 'lacking energy' meaning of limply