dysphoric

adjective

dys·​phor·​ic dis-ˈfȯr-ik 

-ˈfär-

: very unhappy, uneasy, or dissatisfied : marked or characterized by dysphoria

a dysphoric mood

a dysphoric person

see also premenstrual dysphoric disorder

Examples of dysphoric in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In July, an international group of doctors from Europe, Africa, and the United States emphasized that psychological therapy ought to be the first line of treatment for gender dysphoric youth, contradicting other groups such as the Endocrine Society. —Gabrielle M. Etzel, Washington Examiner, 13 Jan. 2024

Its use can be dysphoric or derogatory, a way to express the disappointment of missing the mark or to throw an insult back at transphobes. —Namwali Serpell, The New York Review of Books, 12 Oct. 2023

There were a few people [who] were dysphoric. —Fox News Staff, Fox News, 17 July 2022

Every table in the tiny, high-design dining room is set with a bowl of pins printed with pronouns; the bathroom features a fun-house mirror meant to protect trans diners from feeling dysphoric, and an apothecary jar filled with fentanyl test strips. —Hannah Goldfield, The New Yorker, 24 Mar. 2023

On the other side, every major medical group including the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Psychiatric Association, supports transgender medical treatments for gender dysphoric youths. —Chris Pandolfo, Fox News, 30 Mar. 2023

Those heroines were dissociated, dysphoric. —Katy Waldman, The New Yorker, 8 Aug. 2022

Like Pal, rats are also awoken by dysphoric images that taunt them and haunt them in their sleep. —Time, 28 Dec. 2022

The swift response from the scientific community made both points clear—with even those who support hormones and surgery for gender-dysphoric youth noting that Dr. Turban’s shoddy science undermined their cause. —Leor Sapir, WSJ, 17 Aug. 2022

Word History

Etymology

dysphoria + -ic entry 1

First Known Use

1888, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing dysphoric

• premenstrual dysphoric disorder

Medical Definition

dysphoric

adjective

dys·​phor·​ic dis-ˈfȯr-ik 

-ˈfär-

1

: very unhappy, uneasy, or dissatisfied : marked or characterized by dysphoria (see dysphoria sense 1)

… the stress and dysphoric moods that are experienced by some mothers have the potential to influence their immune balance.

—Maureen W. Groer and Mitzi W. Davis, Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic and Neonatal Nursing

see also premenstrual dysphoric disorder

2

: of, relating to, or characterized by gender dysphoria

… it is important to consider that the transgender male patient may have the same contraceptive requirements as a cisgender female: it is even more important to consider how this may be a dysphoric experience for our patient and devise solutions through which our healthcare systems can mitigate this harm.

—Madeleine Noelle Olding et al., Teaching and Learning in Medicine