ataraxia
noun
at·a·rax·ia
ˌa-tə-ˈrak-sē-ə 
variants
or less commonly ataraxy
: calmness untroubled by mental or emotional disquiet
The highest goal of an Epicurean disciple was ataraxia—tranquility of mind.—
Erich Segal
Erich SegalHermann Cohen contrasted the prophets' appreciation of the urgencies of history to the teachings of Stoicism enjoining ataraxia, the ideal of tranquillity to be attained by freeing oneself from emotional concerns and anxiety.—Paul Mendes-Flohr
Paul Mendes-FlohrExamples of ataraxia in a Sentence
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The Ancient Greeks called it ataraxia, and the Epicureans said yes.
—Stephen Miller, WSJ, 31 Aug. 2020
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Stephen Miller, WSJ, 31 Aug. 2020
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“Ataraxia.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ataraxia. Accessed 3 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
ataraxia
noun
at·a·rax·ia
ˌat-ə-ˈrak-sē-ə
variants
or ataraxy
plural ataraxias or ataraxies
: calmness untroubled by mental or emotional disquiet
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