Definition

Noun: 1. A general feeling of physical discomfort, illness, or uneasiness, often marking the onset of a disease. It is a non-specific feeling of being unwell or out of sorts. 2. A vague sense of mental or emotional unease, dissatisfaction, or lethargy regarding a situation or state of affairs. It describes a general feeling that something is wrong, without a clear, single cause.

Usage and Examples

• Physical Malaise:

  • The patient complained of malaise, fatigue, and a low-grade fever.
  • A sense of malaise and body aches are common early symptoms of the flu.

• Social/Psychological Malaise:

  • A deep economic malaise had settled over the country.
  • There is a growing malaise among the staff regarding the new management policies.

Advanced Usage

• "A sense of malaise": This is a very common collocation emphasizing the feeling.
  • He couldn't shake off a sense of malaise that had followed him all week.
• "General malaise": Used to stress the non-specific, widespread nature of the feeling.
  • The report identified a general malaise within the organization.

Variants and Related Words

• Malaised (adjective, rare): Affected by malaise.
  • The malaised population sought change.

Different Meanings

The word primarily bridges physical and psychological states. The first meaning is more clinical (medical), while the second is more figurative, applied to groups, societies, or moods.

Synonyms

• Uneasiness: A state of discomfort or anxiety.
• Lethargy: A lack of energy and enthusiasm.
• Disquiet: A feeling of anxiety or worry.
• Ennui (literary): A feeling of listlessness and dissatisfaction arising from a lack of occupation or excitement.
• Malaise is more formal and encompassing than words like "blahs" or "under the weather."

Idioms and Phrases

• A climate of malaise: Describes a pervasive atmosphere of unease or dissatisfaction within a group or society.
  • The political scandals created a climate of malaise and distrust.

Noun

1. physical discomfort (as mild sickness or depression)