Definition

Describing a state where a person is unable to feel pleasure or enjoyment in activities that are usually found enjoyable.

Example

After months of feeling anhedonic, she sought help from a therapist.

Conversation

Have you noticed how some people seem so anhedonic lately?

Yeah, it's like they don't find joy in anything anymore.

I wonder what causes that kind of feeling.

It could be a lot of things, like stress or just feeling overwhelmed.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Anhedonic is formed from "an-" (meaning without) and "hedon" (from Greek "hedone", meaning pleasure) and the suffix "-ic" (meaning pertaining to). The word describes a state pertaining to the absence of pleasure or enjoyment.

Memory Tip

Think of 'without' ('an-') pleasure ('hedone') to remember that 'anhedonic' refers to a lack of pleasure.

Visually Confused Words