melancholia

noun

Definition of melancholianext
as in melancholy

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of melancholia The best thing to fight off early sunset melancholia is to try to get outside at dusk, even for a few minutes. — Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 5 Nov. 2025 It was used to treat melancholia and, of course, hangovers, presumably due to its high caffeine content. — Aleksandra Crapanzano, The Atlantic, 27 Oct. 2025 His story is sad and beautiful; as always, Only Murders cuts the melancholia with flashes of genuine warmth. — Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 9 Sep. 2025 Their melancholia was the uncertainty inherent in a time of enormous change. — Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 28 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for melancholia
Recent Examples of Synonyms for melancholia
  1. melancholy
  2. sadness
  3. self-pity
  4. unhappiness
  5. mournfulness
  6. gloominess
  7. dejection
  8. sorrow
Noun
  • The vestiges of his fading memory flash by with a haunting plainness, the melancholy of all this Americana and the sadness of a mind ravaged by time strike the viewer plainly at the end of this maximalist piece of life-writing.
    — Stephanie Wambugu, Vulture, 12 Oct. 2026
  • The question for me is whether or not Lloyd will also manage to capture the melancholy of a deceptively serious play, notwithstanding its reputation.
    — Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of melancholy
Noun
  • Through such simple but evocative images, Zhang creates a whole world of suspicion and sadness.
    — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 6 Nov. 2026
  • Throughout, there’s a lingering sadness, which is properly explored in a superb episode made up of a trifecta of flashbacks, and his dour constitution still pairs perfectly with Helen’s reassuring nature.
    — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of sadness
Noun
  • Naaman Zhou was in the crowd, and reports on an odd night of self-pity.
    — Ian Crouch, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2026
  • Rather than being riled into playing at a higher level, Spain sunk into self-pity mode.
    — Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 18 July 2026
Definition of self-pity
Noun
  • The exit polls, which also indicated a drop in support for ultra-Orthodox parties, signaled voter unhappiness over these exemptions.
    — Giovanna Dell'Orto, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2026
  • With these blue collar parents’ grade-school-age son a tangibly quiet presence, a seemingly impassable unhappiness oozes from the opening scenes.
    — Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of unhappiness
Noun
  • Power Ballad should be breezy and fun, with that twist of mournfulness that Carney is always so adept at pulling off.
    — Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 29 May 2026
Definition of mournfulness
Noun
  • Colors are accurate and saturated, doing justice to the bright vibrance of Frieren on Crunchyroll on my iPad Air and the dark gloominess of Ball x Pit on my Switch 2 via an adapter.
    — Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 12 Mar. 2026
  • His gloominess seemed to make no sense.
    — Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 25 Oct. 2025
Definition of gloominess
Noun
  • In the space of a few paragraphs, Ned will abandon and recover his child, bungle an extramarital affair, win and lose, experience ecstasy and dejection.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 24 Sep. 2026
  • Miller’s hands dropped quickly to his side in frustrated dejection.
    — Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of dejection
Noun
  • Words cannot express the profound sorrow our department and community feel tonight over the loss of our fallen hero, who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to Lakewood.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 6 Nov. 2026
  • What feels like a weight of helplessness and sorrow on our shoulders may, with enough space, also reflect our remarkable capacities for strength, steadfastness, and compassion.
    — Robert M. Kinast, STAT, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of sorrow

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Cite this Entry

“Melancholia.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/melancholia. Accessed 13 Nov. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on melancholia

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about melancholia

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