zeitgeist

[tsahyt-, zahyt-gahyst] / ˈtsaɪt-, ˈzaɪtˌgaɪst /

NOUN

spirit of the time

Synonyms

STRONG

climate outlook spirit trend

WEAK

ambience atmosphere disposition feeling flavor inclination leaning milieu movement tendency tenor tone

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Its local name “Ben Fu” translated as “Rushing Toward Prosperity,” capturing the zeitgeist of China’s go-go years.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 24, 2026

And so, the full magnitude of the true crime apparatus has descended upon the zeitgeist and this sleepy street, with no end in sight.

From Slate • Feb. 23, 2026

AI zeitgeist darling Palantir Technologies crushed Wall Street’s fourth quarter earnings forecasts earlier this month.

From Barron's • Feb. 18, 2026

“Heated Rivalry” has already been renewed for a second season and hailed for forging a new path in the gay zeitgeist.

From Salon • Feb. 13, 2026

So Sophy left off trying to understand clearly all the "ologies" and fly-wheel within fly-wheel movements of the day, and contented herself with a general apprehension of the zeitgeist.

From Shadows of Flames A Novel by Rives, Amélie