anhedonia
noun
an·he·do·nia
ˌan-(ˌ)hē-ˈdō-nē-ə 
-nyə
: a psychological condition characterized by inability to experience pleasure in normally pleasurable acts
Examples of anhedonia in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
She was being treated for depression, including different medications, the fourth of which finally helped to address a condition called anhedonia, an inability to experience pleasure.
—
Jeff Metcalfe, azcentral, 16 May 2020
But do Carol’s fuguelike depression, Anna’s psychosis and Bonnie’s clenched anhedonia really share DNA?
—Alexis Soloski, New York Times, 18 Feb. 2020
Another type dampens reward networks, robbing a person of the ability to feel pleasure, a depression symptom called anhedonia.
—Emily Underwood, Science | AAAS, 20 Aug. 2019
Chronic-pain patients typically also suffer from anhedonia—the inability to experience pleasure—and research suggests that their brains’ reward systems are wired slightly differently from those in other brains.
—Nicola Twilley, The New Yorker, 9 May 2016
How was the anhedonia hypothesis overturned, and when?
—Angela Chen, The Verge, 27 Mar. 2018
Nolan has confused his native island with the anhedonia in his head.
—Christian Lorentzen, New Republic, 25 July 2017
Jeff Metcalfe, azcentral, 16 May 2020
But do Carol’s fuguelike depression, Anna’s psychosis and Bonnie’s clenched anhedonia really share DNA?
—Alexis Soloski, New York Times, 18 Feb. 2020
Another type dampens reward networks, robbing a person of the ability to feel pleasure, a depression symptom called anhedonia.
—Emily Underwood, Science | AAAS, 20 Aug. 2019
Chronic-pain patients typically also suffer from anhedonia—the inability to experience pleasure—and research suggests that their brains’ reward systems are wired slightly differently from those in other brains.
—Nicola Twilley, The New Yorker, 9 May 2016
How was the anhedonia hypothesis overturned, and when?
—Angela Chen, The Verge, 27 Mar. 2018
Nolan has confused his native island with the anhedonia in his head.
—Christian Lorentzen, New Republic, 25 July 2017
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'anhedonia.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
New Latin, from a- entry 2 + Greek hēdonē pleasure — more at hedonism
First Known Use
1887, in the meaning defined above
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Cite this Entry
“Anhedonia.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anhedonia. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
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Medical Definition
anhedonia
noun
an·he·do·nia
ˌan-hē-ˈdō-nē-ə
: a psychological condition characterized by inability to experience pleasure in acts which normally produce it compare analgesia
anhedonic
noun
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