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.

The post-war zeitgeist also began putting them further and further out of favor as a preferred educational choice of some American parents for their sons.

From Los Angeles Times • May 22, 2026

Ever since she took back creative control of her brand about six years ago, Tory Burch is back at the center of the American fashion zeitgeist.

From Los Angeles Times • May 14, 2026

But for 30 years we did our best to make him part of L.A.’s artistic zeitgeist.

From Los Angeles Times • May 11, 2026

With the billionaire class getting hammered in the zeitgeist, I had wondered how our trip might go.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 4, 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