ill-being
Opposite of flourishing
Ill-being is the opposite of well-being—a state of poor health, unhappiness, or general unwellness.
The term appears mainly in academic and philosophical contexts, where it serves as a precise antonym: The study measured both well-being and ill-being among participants.
In everyday speech, people more often say misery, suffering, or simply not doing well.
Severe anxiety or suffering
- anguishIntense mental suffering
- despairTotal absence of hope
- griefIntense sorrow from loss
- sorrowDeep emotional distress
heartache · suffering · melancholy · depression · anxiety · hopelessness · dejection · woe
Diffuse, sourceless discomfort
- ennuiWeary, listless dissatisfaction
- alienationState of being isolated
- disillusionmentBitter loss of faith
- meaninglessnessLack of significance
anomie · disconnection · emptiness · purposelessness · cynicism · despair · apathy · listlessness
Unequal distribution of resources
- povertySevere lack of resources
- oppressionUnjust exercise of power
- injusticeDenial of fair treatment
- deprivationState of lacking necessities
marginalization · exploitation · dysfunction · suffering · hardship · disparity · disadvantage · exclusion
distress
Severe anxiety or suffering
sorrow · heartache · suffering · melancholy · depression · anxiety · hopelessness · dejection · woe · torment
malaise
Diffuse, sourceless discomfort
- ennuiWeary, listless dissatisfaction
- alienationState of being isolated
- disillusionmentBitter loss of faith
meaninglessness · anomie · disconnection · emptiness · purposelessness · cynicism · despair · apathy · listlessness · languor
inequality
Unequal distribution of resources
- povertySevere lack of resources
- oppressionUnjust exercise of power
- injusticeDenial of fair treatment
deprivation · marginalization · exploitation · dysfunction · suffering · hardship · disparity · disadvantage · exclusion · discrimination
ache
Persistent dull discomfort
- sorenessTender, painful sensation
- painBodily or emotional distress
- discomfortMild physical or mental distress
sickness · nausea · fatigue · weakness · inflammation · fever · malaise · ailment · infirmity · affliction
ill-beingwell-being
State of health, contentment
wellbeing · welfare · flourishing · thriving · prosperity
ill-beinghappiness
Joyful emotional state
contentment · upbeat · joy · bliss · fulfillment