dysphoria
Americannoun
noun
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of dysphoria
First recorded in 1835–45; from New Latin, from Greek dysphoría “malaise, discomfort,” equivalent to dys- dys- + phor(ós) “bearing” + -ia -ia
Explanation
Dysphoria is a state of mental discomfort or suffering. When you feel dysphoria — and we hope you rarely do — you feel depressed and awful. Euphoria is a state of joy or bliss: dysphoria is the opposite. It’s a state of unease, anxiety, and misery. Dysphoria is very similar to depression, which is also a form of extreme sadness. This is a strong word for more than being bummed: it indicates true misery. Shakespeare’s Hamlet is a well-known literary figure who wrestles with dysphoria.
Vocabulary lists containing dysphoria
Florida's B.E.S.T. Roots: dys
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The Gene
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dys (bad; unlucky)
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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.
Major U.S. medical groups consider gender dysphoria a condition that merits treatment.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 26, 2026
Asked about why the number of children and young people who have gender dysphoria is increasing, Cass said it was "complex" but there was a different cultural context, with people "less locked into gender stereotypes".
From BBC ● Feb. 15, 2026
Clinical studies involving stroke, anorexia nervosa, and body integrity dysphoria suggest that problems with thermal perception can occur alongside disruptions in body ownership.
From Science Daily ● Jan. 4, 2026
Mainstream U.S. medical associations have supported gender-affirming care for minors experiencing gender dysphoria for years.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 1, 2025
Still, rising anti-Americanism may have more to do with a nonspecific wave of gloom and dysphoria than with concrete American policies.
From The Belgian Curtain Europe after Communism by Samuel Vaknin
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Get a wordDefinitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
