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Definitions

melancholia

[mel-uhn-koh-lee-uh, -kohl-yuh] / ˌmɛl ənˈkoʊ li ə, -ˈkoʊl yə /
NOUN
depression
Synonyms
STRONG
abasement abjection blahs bleakness bummer cheerlessness dejection desolation desperation despondency discouragement dispiritedness distress dole dolefulness dolor downheartedness dreariness dullness dumps ennui gloom gloominess heavyheartedness hopelessness lowness melancholy misery mortification qualm sadness sorrow trouble unhappiness vapors woefulness worry
WEAK
abjectness blue funk disconsolation heaviness of heart lugubriosity the blues
Antonyms
STRONG
advantage benefit blessing cheer comfort contentedness contentment encouragement gladness happiness hopefulness joy liveliness peace pleasure
WEAK
bulge cheerfulness convexity hope protuberance recovery surge
NOUN
seasonal affective disorder
Synonyms
STRONGEST
depression seasonal depression
WEAK
mild depression
NOUN
wretchedness
Synonyms
STRONG
abjection affliction agony anguish depression desolation despair despondency discomfort discontent distress grief pain sadness suffering torment unhappiness woe
Antonyms
STRONG
cheer cheerfulness comfort contentment easiness happiness health hopefulness joy joyfulness pleasure relief
WEAK
joyousness

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.

But he added, acidly: “there was little about melancholia that he didn’t know; there was little else that he did.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 20, 2026

He has such a sparkle in his eye, and a joyful face, but he had a lot of melancholia.

From Salon • Nov. 4, 2024

And people looking for a dose of introspective melancholia at the end of the festival will have to choose between The National on the Other Stage, and James Blake, who plays in the Woodsies tent.

From BBC • Jun. 4, 2024

The show’s title, “Black Sun,” comes from the title of the philosopher Julia Kristeva’s 1987 volume on melancholia.

From New York Times • Jun. 23, 2023

Vincent knows there are members of the family who suffer from melancholia, from mood swings, extreme behavior, eccentricities.

From "Vincent and Theo: The Van Gogh Brothers" by Deborah Heiligman

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.