malaise

[ ma-leyz, -muh-; French ma-lez ]

noun

1. a condition of general bodily weakness or discomfort, often marking the onset of a disease.
2. a vague or unfocused feeling of mental uneasiness, lethargy, or discomfort.

malaise

/ mæˈleɪz /

noun

1. a feeling of unease or depression
2. a mild sickness, not symptomatic of any disease or ailment
3. a complex of problems affecting a country, economy, etc

   Bulgaria's economic malaise

Word History and Origins

Origin of malaise¹

First recorded in 1760–70; from French, Old French, equivalent to mal- + ease

Word History and Origins

Origin of malaise¹

C18: from Old French, from mal bad + aise ease

Example Sentences

Authoritarians, fascists, autocrats, and demagogues actively encourage such malaise and surrender and related sentiments and behavior.

From Salon

The stats highlighting their defensive issues all add up to City's malaise - but, in the most basic terms, Rodri is the player Guardiola is unable to replace.

From BBC

There was no gleeful chuckling or smiles masking malaise, only respectful discussion between people on either side of the political fence, or straddling it, about what this outcome tells us about who we are and how we, as a nation, should process these results.

From Salon

A few overarching factors likely helped: widespread post-pandemic malaise, popular dissatisfaction with Joe Biden’s soft-spoken presidency, and an animated double-down on toxic masculinity, right as women en masse were rising up against the Dobbs-era rollback of reproductive rights.

From Slate

Though a sitting vice president, she has tried to position herself as the “turn the page” candidate by casting Trump and his rhetoric as the cause of that national malaise.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• angst
• anxiety
• despair
• discomfort
• disquiet
• doldrums
• illness
• pain
• unease
• uneasiness
• weakness