malaise

[ma-leyz, -muh-, ma-lez] / mæˈleɪz, -mə-, maˈlɛz /

NOUN

depression, sickness

Synonyms

STRONGEST

angst anxiety despair discomfort disquiet doldrums illness pain unease uneasiness weakness

STRONG

debility decrepitude distress enervation feebleness infirmity lassitude melancholy unhealthiness

WEAK

infirmness sickliness

Antonyms

STRONGEST

calmness cheer comfort ease good health happiness health joy peace pleasure well-being

STRONG

ability soundness strength

WEAK

healthiness well-being

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The sense of widespread malaise and discontent was crystallized by Victoria Bonya, an Instagram influencer and former Russian TV star who lives in Monaco, and who stayed away from politics until now.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 7, 2026

I think we were, as writers and directors, tapping into an unease and a malaise that’s just out there.

From Los Angeles Times • May 6, 2026

What I most definitely had was malaise: The ring had issued a warning, but why?

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 29, 2026

The crisis in the chemicals sector reflects a broader malaise in the German economy, whose growth has trailed behind other major economies.

From Barron's • Mar. 26, 2026

Burnham hoped for an early cure to the nation’s financial malaise, but the economy did not oblige.

From "The Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson

Vocabulary lists containing malaise

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