zeitgeist

[tsahyt-, zahyt-gahyst] / ˈtsaɪt-, ˈzaɪtˌgaɪst /

NOUN

spirit of the time

Synonyms

STRONG

climate outlook spirit trend

WEAK

ambience atmosphere disposition feeling flavor inclination leaning milieu movement tendency tenor tone

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.

How the latest installment of the show lands with fans is a test of whether a one-time hit can again capture the zeitgeist.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026

AI is just one more thing we all have to worry about now — in the classroom, in the workplace, in the zeitgeist.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 26, 2026

Several films seized the zeitgeist this year but only this one kept returning to theaters for an encore.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 10, 2026

Such zeitgeist wins are harder to come by now with everyone focused on their phones.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 7, 2026

It went on and vanished among the fronds of a distant island; but the calm had been broken, and through all the stems there ran a restless sense of anticipation, a zeitgeist of prophetic import.

From Edge of the Jungle by Beebe, William