world-weariness

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Thân thiện
Definition

Noun: A feeling of profound fatigue, disillusionment, or lack of interest in life, often stemming from a pessimistic view of the world's problems and the human condition. It is a state of being weary of or bored with the world.

Usage

"World-weariness" is used to describe a deep, philosophical sense of exhaustion or apathy. It is not a temporary feeling of tiredness but a more permanent state of mind associated with experience, age, or prolonged exposure to life's disappointments. - It often appears in literary, philosophical, or psychological contexts. - It describes an emotional and intellectual stance towards existence.

Examples
  • The poet's later works are marked by a deep world-weariness, reflecting his disillusionment with society.
  • After decades in politics, he retired with an air of world-weariness, having seen too many promises broken.
  • Her world-weariness was evident in her cynical smile and disinterested gaze.
Advanced Usage
  • Adjectival Form: While "world-weary" is the direct adjective, the noun "world-weariness" names the condition itself.
    • His world-weary attitude was a symptom of his profound world-weariness.
Variants and Related Words
  • World-weary (adj): Experiencing or showing world-weariness.
    • The detective was a classic, world-weary character.
  • Ennui (n): A feeling of listlessness and dissatisfaction arising from a lack of occupation or excitement. (A close synonym, though "ennui" can stem from boredom, while "world-weariness" implies a reaction to the world's flaws.)
  • Weltschmerz (n): (From German) A feeling of melancholy and pessimism caused by comparing the actual state of the world with an ideal state. (A very close conceptual synonym.)
Synonyms
  • Cynicism
  • Disillusionment
  • Jadedness
  • Pessimism (specifically a weary, resigned pessimism)
Antonyms
  • Idealism
  • Optimism
  • Naivety
  • Enthusiasm
Related Idioms/Phrases
  • To be weary of the world: This phrase directly describes the state of feeling world-weariness.
    • In his old age, he grew weary of the world and its endless conflicts.
Noun
  1. sadness on thinking about the evils of the world

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