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discontent

/ˌˈdɪskənˌtɛnt/
/dɪskənˈtɛnt/
IPA guide

Other forms: discontented; discontents; discontenting

When you experience discontent, you're not happy. You've been let down — either by others or by yourself.

The word discontent is made up of dis, meaning "not," and content, "a state of peaceful happiness." So as an adjective, discontent means "not happy or peaceful," like the discontent Egyptian citizens who expressed their dissatisfaction with their country's leader by protesting and demanding he give up power. As a verb, discontent means "to make unhappy," like bad news that discontents you.

Definitions of discontent
  1. noun
    a longing for something better than the present situation
    see moresee less
    types:
    disgruntlement
    a feeling of sulky discontent
    dysphoria
    abnormal depression and discontent
    dissatisfaction
    the feeling of being displeased and discontent
    boredom, ennui, tedium
    the feeling of being bored by something tedious
    displeasure
    the feeling of being displeased or annoyed or dissatisfied with someone or something
    disappointment, letdown
    a feeling of dissatisfaction that results when your expectations are not realized
    malaise
    a vague sense of unease or dissatisfaction
    type of:
    hungriness, longing, yearning
    prolonged unfulfilled desire or need
  2. adjective
    showing or experiencing dissatisfaction or restless longing
    “saw many discontent faces in the room”
    “was discontented with his position”
    synonyms: discontented
    disaffected, ill-affected, malcontent, rebellious
    discontented as toward authority
    disgruntled, dissatisfied
    in a state of sulky dissatisfaction
    restless, ungratified, unsatisfied
    worried and uneasy
    unhappy
    experiencing or marked by or causing sadness or sorrow or discontent
    displeased
    not pleased; experiencing or manifesting displeasure
  3. verb
    make dissatisfied
    see moresee less
    antonyms:
    content
    make content
    type of:
    dissatisfy
    fail to satisfy
Pronunciation
US
/ˌˈdɪskənˌtɛnt/
UK
/dɪskənˈtɛnt/
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DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘discontent'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback
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