Weltschmerz

Or welt·schmerz

[velt-shmerts]

noun

German.

1. sorrow that one feels and accepts as one's necessary portion in life; sentimental pessimism.

Weltschmerz

/ ˈvɛltʃmɛrts /

noun

1. sadness or melancholy at the evils of the world; world-weariness

Word History and Origins

Origin of Weltschmerz¹

First recorded in 1860–65; literally, “world-pain,” from Welt world ( def. ) + Schmerz “pain”; smart ( def. ) (in the sense “pain”)

Word History and Origins

Origin of Weltschmerz¹

literally: world pain

Example Sentences

“Weltschmerz?” a kind voice asked, just behind her.

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Some are not easily translatable between languages: Germans use “Weltschmerz” to refer to a feeling of melancholy caused by the state of the world.

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Many of Untitled Goose Game’s relatively young players are, it seems fair to assume, suffering from a sense of Weltschmerz.

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With its impressionistic opening giving way to sweeping melodies, the work has an appealing throwback glamour with touches of Mahlerian Weltschmerz and just a hint of jazzy swing.

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Her expression remains neutral even when touching on incendiary topics such as police brutality or when answering obtuse questions from white people as though to indicate a certain Weltschmerz.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• agony 
• apprehension 
• dread 
• misgiving 
• nervousness 
• uneasiness www.thesaurus.com