anhedonia

[ an-hee-doh-nee-uh ]

noun

, Psychology.

1. lack of pleasure or of the capacity to experience it:

   Severely depressed people often exhibit decreased interest in social interaction, disturbed concentration, and anhedonia.

Other Words From

• an·he·don·ic [an-hee-, don, -ik], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of anhedonia¹

First recorded in 1895–1900; from Greek an- + hēdon(ḗ) “pleasure” + -ia; an- ¹, -ia

Example Sentences

The initial response is not as difficult as something that’s stressful, but over time, the anhedonia, the loss of pleasure, is going to drive you down a lot more.

From ProPublica

Related Words

• grief
• misery
• sadness
• sorrow
• woe