malaise

American  

[ma-leyz, -muh-, ma-lez] / mæˈleɪz, -mə-, maˈlɛz /

noun

• malaises
  plural

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.

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malaise British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• malaises
  plural

Etymology

Origin of malaise

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

Explanation

If you are experiencing malaise, chances are you are feeling blue or looking green. Malaise is a slump; you're not feeling your best — either mentally or physically. Mal is French for "bad," and aise means "ease." When experiencing malaise, ease yourself down on the couch to recover. Malaise is frequently used figuratively to describe slumps that other things go through as well. The 20-year economic malaise in Japan is one example, but you'll also hear of educational malaise, political malaise, and even "a general malaise." Wherever you turn, there's malaise.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

malaise malaises

With many Americans already feeling pinched after postpandemic inflation drove up the prices of goods and services, that could be a recipe for even greater economic malaise.

From Slate ● Aug. 20, 2026

The food-and-beverage industry has been cranking out new products to cut through consumer malaise and compete with retailers’ store-brand products, which are cheaper but at times just as innovative.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 28, 2026

Drapatiy’s selection as Syrskiy’s replacement was applauded by rank-and-file soldiers and senior military officials, who cited his aversion to bureaucratic malaise and preference for direct contact with officers on all levels.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 24, 2026

Was he so concerned with capturing his son’s malaise as Adrian became an adult that he missed details he might’ve seen if one eye weren’t looking through the viewfinder?

From Salon ● Jul. 24, 2026

Just one shrill blow and you will see your animal shudder with malaise and repair at top speed to the safest, furthest part of its territory.

From "Life of Pi" by Yann Martel

Rather, the key to overcoming the malaises of alienation is about changing the social conditions or epidemiology of this alienation and moving societies beyond common indignities, gross inequities, and identity politics.

From Salon ● Feb. 10, 2024

For these two analysts, the key to overcoming the malaises of social alienation have nothing whatsoever to do with catching up, getting even with, or hating one’s enemies, adversaries, abusers, oppressors, and so on.

From Salon ● Feb. 10, 2024

But despite her placidity, Poplavskaya has leapfrogged to prominence in recent years, profiting from the malaises or caprices of others.

From The Guardian ● Apr. 9, 2011

Since then theelin has been used to treat hemophilia, periodic migraine, menstrual disorders, infantilism, frigidity, delayed puberty, physical and psychic malaises associated with the menopause.

From Time Magazine Archive

And they will add that Thackeray, another man of genius, had also his malaises of art, was likewise a man with the mortal failings implied in the word.

From Masters of the English Novel A Study of Principles and Personalities by Richard Burton

Related Words

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