Weltschmerz

[ velt-shmerts ]

/ ˈvɛltˌʃmɛrts /

sorrow that one feels and accepts as one's necessary portion in life; sentimental pessimism.

Origin of Weltschmerz

literally, world-pain

Well, it is a form of Weltschmerz, and only afflicts the well-fed.

Frulein Schmidt and Mr. Anstruther |Elizabeth von Arnim
They are going through a period of storm and stress; they are torn by Weltschmerz.

The Plastic Age |Percy Marks
In his vicinity there was no room for pessimistic philosophies, for Weltschmerz or Karma.

Love's Pilgrimage |Upton Sinclair
Often his Weltschmerz wrests scornful criticism of his surroundings from him.

Jewish Literature and Other Essays |Gustav Karpeles

Probably nowhere in Byron could we find a more pompous display of egoism under the guise of Weltschmerz.

Types of Weltschmerz in German Poetry |Wilhelm Alfred Braun

Weltschmerz

/ German (ˈvɛltʃmɛrts) /

sadness or melancholy at the evils of the world; world-weariness

literally: world pain