It will be some time before the economy will move out of the current doldrums.
Source: tatoeba (237986)
Doldrums
/ˈdɒldɹəmz/
Synonyms for "doldrums" (63 found)
Ranked by relevance and common usage.
Closest matches (13)
Noun(2 words)
stagnationcalm belt
Strong matches (19)
deathlike calmdejectiondepressiondisinterestdismalsdolefulsdormancydumpsennuiflat calmgloomhorse latitudesinactivityindifferenceintermissioninterruptionlanguor
Noun(2 words)
equatorial beltlanguishing
Related words (31)
lassitudelatencylistlessnesslullmegrimsmopesmulligrubsmumpsoily calmpolar easterliesprevailing westerliesquiescencequiescencyretardationroaring fortiessadnessslumpstagnationsulkssuspension
Show 6 more words
Noun(5 words)
Choosing the right synonym
- Closest matches in this entry: stagnation, abeyance, anticyclone, antitrades, apathy.
- Sentence evidence is available for doldrums, so synonym choice can be checked against real usage rather than a flat word list.
- Ranking signals come from wordnet, opengloss, derived_reverse, moby, and related lexical sources.
Synonym selection checklist
- Match the part of speech before comparing meanings.
- Check whether the synonym changes intensity, formality, or emotional tone.
- Read the replacement inside the full sentence, not just beside "doldrums".
- Prefer the clearest word over the most unusual word when writing for speed or comprehension.
When not to replace "doldrums"
Keep "doldrums" when the sentence already sounds natural, when a synonym would add unintended emphasis, or when readers need the most familiar wording. A synonym should clarify or sharpen the message, not simply make the sentence look more varied.
If two options seem close, choose the one that best matches the audience and purpose of the sentence.
Replacement workflow
1. Preserve meaning
Choose a synonym only if it keeps the core idea of "doldrums" intact in the sentence you are editing.
2. Tune tone
Check whether the replacement sounds more formal, casual, emotional, technical, or forceful than the original word.
3. Re-read context
Read the full sentence after the swap. Keep the synonym only when the sentence becomes clearer or more precise.
Review note: Synonym lists are ranked with lexical data and reviewed for practical writing value. Use the comparison notes, sentence evidence, and source labels together; a high-ranking synonym can still be wrong when the audience, register, or grammar changes.
Final fit check
After choosing a replacement for "doldrums", read the sentence once for meaning and once for rhythm. The best synonym should feel natural in the full sentence, not only accurate in a word list.
If the synonym makes the sentence slower, vaguer, or more dramatic than intended, keep "doldrums" or choose a simpler alternative from the closest-match group.
Related word relations
OpenGloss and ConceptNet supply richer edges like generalizations, collocations, and derivations.
More general
12 entriesair currentcurrent of aireconomic conditionemotional stategeographic regioninactioninactivenessinactivitymoodperiodregionwind
More specific
8 entriesbusiness lulleconomic downturnequatorial calmmarket stagnationoffice malaiseseasonal bluestropical calmwindless belt
Collocations
6 entriesdoldrums periodeconomic doldrumsequatorial doldrumsglobal doldrumsseasonal doldrumswindless doldrums
Sample sentences
16 total sentences available.
Tom was down in the doldrums after Mary walked out on him.
Source: tatoeba (3197570)
The "doldrums" is a popular nautical term that refers to the belt around the Earth near the equator where sailing ships sometimes get stuck on windless waters.
Source: tatoeba (6692537)
Known to sailors around the world as the doldrums, the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) is a belt around the Earth extending approximately five degrees north and south of the equator. Here, the prevailing trade winds of the northern hemisphere blow to the southwest and collide with the southern hemisphere’s driving northeast trade winds.
Source: tatoeba (6692538)
Showing 4 of 16 available sentences.
Common questions
What are the closest synonyms for "doldrums"?
Closest matches include stagnation, abeyance, anticyclone, antitrades, apathy.
How should I check whether a synonym fits "doldrums"?
Compare the replacement against real sentence context. This entry includes sample sentences so you can check tone, grammar, and meaning before swapping words.