bouts of declinism

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "bouts of declinism" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe periods or instances of pessimistic views regarding decline, often in social, economic, or political contexts. Example: "The recent economic downturn has led to several bouts of declinism among analysts, who fear a prolonged recession."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

America is prone to bouts of declinism.

The Economist

Some 35% go so far as to say that America's best days are behind it.America is prone to bouts of "declinism".

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The great summit of declinism — the peak from which all subsequent declinism has declined — was established in 1918, in the book that gave decline its good name in publishing: the German historian Oswald Spengler's best-selling, thousand-page work "The Decline of the West".

The New Yorker

"The idea of declinism has always been fashionable," he says.

The New York Times

This reflects a mood of declinism and also a sense of unrequited love.

The Economist

Obaman multilateralism, for this reason, must continually inoculate itself against the charge of "declinism".

The New York Times

In The New Yorker this week, Adam Gopnik writes about the rise of declinism: "The lessons of declinism are manifold, but the central one is that obsessively fretting about your possible decline can be a good way to produce it".

The New Yorker

The lessons of declinism are manifold, but the central one is that obsessively fretting about your possible decline can be a good way to produce it.

The New Yorker

So in a sense, you might argue that the prevalence of declinism isn't because the world's getting worse – it's because more people are becoming depressed.

The Guardian

But the history of declinism shows that doom arrives in cycles, and what comes and goes, logically, does not a trend make.

The New York Times

If Morris's version of declinism takes in the universe, Niall Ferguson's version, in his new, TV-series-accompanying book "Civilization: The West and the Rest" (forthcoming from Penguin Press; $35), feels oddly idiosyncratic.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "bouts of declinism" to describe recurring periods of pessimism about societal or economic decline, often seen in political or economic commentary.

Common error

Avoid using "bouts of declinism" too frequently; it can sound repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms like "periods of pessimism" or "episodes of decline" for better readability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bouts of declinism" functions as a noun phrase, describing recurring instances of pessimistic views or sentiments related to decline. It typically acts as a subject, object, or complement within a sentence. Ludwig confirms its usability.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "bouts of declinism" refers to recurring instances of pessimism concerning decline, often in societal or economic contexts. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and primarily found in news and media sources. While its usage is infrequent, synonyms like "periods of pessimism" or "episodes of decline" can provide variety in writing. The phrase is suitable for analytical and descriptive contexts, helping to express cyclical patterns of negative sentiment. It's recommended to use it judiciously to maintain clarity and avoid repetition.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

periods of pessimism

Focuses on the emotional state rather than the phenomenon of decline itself.

waves of pessimism

Emphasizes the fluctuating nature of pessimistic sentiment.

episodes of decline

Highlights specific instances or occurrences of decline.

cycles of pessimism

Suggests a recurring pattern of negative outlooks.

outbreaks of pessimism

Implies a sudden and widespread emergence of negative feelings.

tendencies toward pessimism

Indicates an inclination or predisposition to see things negatively.

inclinations to declinism

Focuses on the tendency toward the belief in decline.

phases of doubt

Highlights the uncertainty and skepticism associated with decline.

moments of despair

Emphasizes the feeling of hopelessness during perceived decline.

times of pessimism

A general expression for periods characterized by negative expectations.

FAQs

How can I use "bouts of declinism" in a sentence?

You can use "bouts of declinism" to describe recurring periods of pessimism or negative sentiment regarding societal or economic decline. For example: "The nation experienced several "periods of pessimism" after the economic crisis".

What are some alternatives to "bouts of declinism"?

Alternatives include "periods of pessimism", "episodes of decline", or "waves of pessimism", depending on the context.

Is "bouts of declinism" formal or informal?

"Bouts of declinism" is suitable for neutral to formal contexts, such as news articles or academic discussions. It may sound overly academic in casual conversation.

What causes "bouts of declinism"?

"Bouts of declinism" are often triggered by economic downturns, political instability, or significant social changes that lead to widespread feelings of pessimism about the future.