malaise

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "malaise" is correct and usable in written English.
It is a noun that means a general feeling of discomfort, anxiety, or depression. For example, "After the election, citizens of the country were in a state of collective malaise, struggling to find joy in anything."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Yet, unluckily for all of us, he still seems more concerned with tax cuts and defending his allies in the City rather than protecting Londoners by dealing with the root causes of the malaise facing London's economy.

The Guardian

On the other hand, if the core of a youthful, swashbuckling new side emerge over the course of the summer and the new management team set a course for a more enlightened era in which the ECB is able to look over the next hill rather than down at its feet as it stumbles from crisis to crisis, then they might yet be able to arrest the malaise.

The Guardian - Sport

Even analysts are baffled by the Fed's happy tone, which seems much more suited to a bubble of irrational exuberance rather than our own endless depressive malaise.

The Guardian - Opinion

The capacity and willingness to drive people along with the use of the pitchfork of threatened redundancy or the flaming torch of disciplinary action does not make a leader and the mere fact that you so brazenly call yourselves leaders is evidence of the malaise that prompts me to write.

The Guardian

Kept demanding the ball but little came off and still seems stuck in his agent-induced malaise Related: England's Jack Wilshere a single bright note in Republic of Ireland friendly Wayne Rooney 5 Popped up in defence to make one vital interception but looked rusty on the ball and fluffed one glorious chance with a terrible first touch.

The Guardian - Sport

It's as though Clarkson has been left carrying the can for what appears to have been a much wider cultural malaise at Top Gear.

The Guardian - Opinion

It brought home the diversity of rural towns and the relentless search for their own secret ingredient that will bring people to visit or live and turn around the (commonly felt) economic malaise that has dogged them.

The Guardian

Anaemic economic recovery has provided an opening for populist parties, promoting protectionist policies, to blame foreign trade and foreign workers for the prolonged malaise.

The Guardian - Business

Europe's malaise is that it has a single currency but no comparable unity on fiscal, labour and tax policies.

The Guardian - Opinion

They even have a term for this syndrome: they call it le malaise français.

The Guardian

"The surveys point to further malaise extending into the fourth quarter, adding to the impression that there are few signs of the region pulling out of this torpor.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "malaise" to describe a broad sense of unease or discomfort, rather than a specific symptom or problem. This word is effective when depicting a widespread or systemic issue.

Common error

Avoid using "malaise" as a direct synonym for a diagnosed illness. "Malaise" describes a general feeling of being unwell, not a specific disease or condition.

Linguistic Context

The noun "malaise" functions primarily to describe a general state of feeling unwell, uneasy, or discontented. Ludwig AI confirms this usage with numerous examples of its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Formal & Business

29%

Science

24%

Less common in

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the noun "malaise" effectively conveys a general feeling of discomfort, unease, or illness. Ludwig AI affirms that it's frequently used in news, business, and scientific contexts to describe widespread or systemic issues. While grammatically sound, it's important not to confuse it with a specific illness. Related terms include "unease", "discomfort", and "apathy", each emphasizing a different facet of the overarching feeling. Using "malaise" correctly involves understanding its broad application to a general sense of negativity, rather than a pinpointed problem.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

general unease

Highlights the lack of comfort and security.

feeling of discomfort

Focuses on the physical or mental discomfort associated with malaise.

sense of depression

Emphasizes the depressive aspect of the term.

state of apathy

Highlights a lack of interest or enthusiasm.

overall discontent

Focuses on the dissatisfaction and unhappiness.

feeling of stagnation

Focuses on a lack of progress or movement.

widespread pessimism

Emphasizes the broad expectation of negative outcomes.

collective anxiety

Highlights a shared feeling of worry or nervousness.

period of decline

Emphasizes a downward trend or deterioration.

prevailing negativity

Highlights the overarching negative sentiment.

FAQs

How can I use "malaise" in a sentence?

Use "malaise" to describe a general feeling of discomfort, illness, or unease whose exact cause is difficult to identify. For example, "The country was gripped by a general "economic malaise"".

What are some synonyms for "malaise"?

Some synonyms for "malaise" include "unease", "discomfort", and "apathy". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "malaise" in formal writing?

Yes, "malaise" is appropriate for formal writing. It is a sophisticated term often used in academic, business, and news contexts to describe a widespread or systemic issue.

What's the difference between "malaise" and "depression"?

"Malaise" is a general feeling of discomfort, illness, or unease, while "depression" is a specific mental health condition characterized by persistent sadness and loss of interest. "Malaise" can be a symptom of depression, but they are not the same.