doldrums
plural noun
dol·drums ˈdōl-drəmz 
ˈdäl-
ˈdäl- ˈdȯl-
1
: a spell of listlessness or despondency
fighting off the winter doldrums
2
often capitalized oceanography : a part of the ocean near the equator abounding in calms (see calm entry 1 sense 1b), squalls, and light shifting winds
3
: a state or period of inactivity, stagnation, or slump
out of the economic doldrums
Did you know?
Almost everyone gets the doldrums—a feeling of low spirits and lack of energy—every once in a while. The doldrums experienced by sailors, however, are usually of a different variety. In the early-19th century, the word once reserved for a feeling of despondency came to be applied to certain tropical regions of the ocean marked by the absence of strong winds. Sailing vessels, reliant on wind propulsion, struggled to make headway in these regions, leading to long, arduous journeys. The exact etymology of doldrums is not certain, though it is believed to be related to the Old English dol, meaning "foolish"—a history it shares with our adjective dull.
Synonyms
- abeyance
- cold storage
- deep freeze
- dormancy
- holding pattern
- latency
- moratorium
- quiescence
- suspended animation
- suspense
- suspension
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web With each, there’s a growing sense that Mountcastle has turned a corner on his midsummer doldrums. 
Andy Kostka, Baltimore Sun, 3 Sep. 2022 In Southern California, the balmy summer doldrums tend to give way to a packed slate of cool arts and cultural happenings. Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2022 The summer doldrums seem to have taken hold, suggesting a slightly sluggish pace at times. Ed Silverman, STAT, 27 Aug. 2022 The summer doldrums hang on, with the air feeling stagnant and sticky and hardly a breeze to cool us off. A. Camden Walker, Washington Post, 26 Aug. 2022 Asian equities posted mixed results on light volumes as summer doldrums kicked in. Brendan Ahern, Forbes, 19 July 2022 The Eagles, who open the season Sept. 3 at home against Rutgers, are determined to escape from the doldrums of mediocrity. Trevor Hass, BostonGlobe.com, 5 Aug. 2022 This year’s CinemaCon comes as exhibitors are laboring to recover from the doldrums of the pandemic, when studios continued to delay big films that might bring audiences back to auditoriums. Ryan Faughnderstaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2022 And the labor force participation rate — the percentage of the population ages 16 and older that are either employed or unemployed but seeking work — has grown a whopping 3.3% from the doldrums of summer 2020. Ben Tobin, The Courier-Journal, 7 Apr. 2022 See More
Andy Kostka, Baltimore Sun, 3 Sep. 2022 In Southern California, the balmy summer doldrums tend to give way to a packed slate of cool arts and cultural happenings. Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2022 The summer doldrums seem to have taken hold, suggesting a slightly sluggish pace at times. Ed Silverman, STAT, 27 Aug. 2022 The summer doldrums hang on, with the air feeling stagnant and sticky and hardly a breeze to cool us off. A. Camden Walker, Washington Post, 26 Aug. 2022 Asian equities posted mixed results on light volumes as summer doldrums kicked in. Brendan Ahern, Forbes, 19 July 2022 The Eagles, who open the season Sept. 3 at home against Rutgers, are determined to escape from the doldrums of mediocrity. Trevor Hass, BostonGlobe.com, 5 Aug. 2022 This year’s CinemaCon comes as exhibitors are laboring to recover from the doldrums of the pandemic, when studios continued to delay big films that might bring audiences back to auditoriums. Ryan Faughnderstaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2022 And the labor force participation rate — the percentage of the population ages 16 and older that are either employed or unemployed but seeking work — has grown a whopping 3.3% from the doldrums of summer 2020. Ben Tobin, The Courier-Journal, 7 Apr. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
probably akin to Old English dol foolish
First Known Use
1765, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Kids Definition
doldrums
noun plural
dol·drums ˈdōl-drəmz
ˈdäl-,
ˈdȯl-
1
: a spell of sadness I tried to cheer her of her doldrums.
2
: a period of no activity or improvement
Her business was in the doldrums.
3
: a part of the ocean near the equator known for its calms
doldrums
plural noun
1
as in suspension
a state of temporary inactivity the theater scene is usually in the doldrums during the summer Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- suspension
- suspense
- recession
- coma
- abeyance
- moratorium
- dormancy
- cold storage
- quiescence
- inertia
- latency
- standstill
- suspended animation
- rest
- inaction
- slumber
- hibernation
- deep freeze
- impasse
- recess
- torpor
- holding pattern
- motionlessness
- inertness
- remission
- hypnosis
- downtime
- sleep
- layoff
- idleness
- repose
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- continuation
- renewal
- continuance
- resumption
- resuscitation
- recommencement
2
as in sadness
a state or spell of low spirits the team had been in the doldrums ever since losing the championship Synonyms & Similar Words
- sadness
- depression
- sorrowfulness
- gloom
- melancholy
- dreariness
- blues
- misery
- gloominess
- mournfulness
- anguish
- glumness
- sorrow
- grief
- unhappiness
- dejection
- miserableness
- despair
- joylessness
- oppression
- desperation
- dumps
- heartsickness
- agony
- boredom
- downheartedness
- despondency
- despondence
- despond
- mopes
- blue devils
- forlornness
- mourning
- pain
- disconsolateness
- distress
- dispiritedness
- dolefulness
- melancholia
- desolation
- ennui
- discouragement
- tedium
- regret
- hopelessness
- somberness
- woe
- wretchedness
- self-pity
- drear
- disheartenment
- dolor
- moroseness
- woefulness
- moodiness
- morbidness
- dismalness
- self-despair
- morosity
- rue
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- euphoria
- joy
- exuberance
- bliss
- exhilaration
- elation
- happiness
- joyousness
- ecstasy
- jubilation
- optimism
- heaven
- rapture
- exultation
- intoxication
- mirth
- joyfulness
- glee
- gladness
- gayety
- joviality
- merriment
- gaiety
- humor
- lightheartedness
- jollity
- cheerfulness
- felicity
- cheer
- blissfulness
- hopefulness
- cheeriness
- contentment
- satisfaction
- gayness
- elatedness
- gleefulness
- rapturousness
- content
- mirthfulness
- contentedness
- sunniness
- delight
- gladsomeness
- gratification
3
as in boredom
the state of being bored we were in the doldrums while we waited for something to happen Synonyms & Similar Words
- boredom
- blahs
- ennui
- tedium
- restlessness
- weariness
- melancholy
- lethargy
- listlessness
- monotony
- dullness
- joylessness
- torpidity
- cheerlessness
- torpor
- lifelessness
- lassitude
- languor
- languidness
- indifference
- apathy
- dulness
- sameness
- monotonousness
- unconcern
- dispiritedness
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- fascination
- excitement
- stimulation
- involvement
- enchantment
- absorption
- immersion
- engrossment
- engagement
- relief
- invigoration
- entertainment
- animation
- captivation
- bewitchment
- amusement
- beguilement
- enlivenment
- diversion