discomfort

American  

[dis-kuhm-fert] / dɪsˈkʌm fərt /

noun

1. an absence of comfort or ease; uneasiness, hardship, or mild pain.

2. anything that is disturbing to or interferes with comfort.

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verb (used with object)

1. to disturb the comfort or happiness of; make uncomfortable or uneasy.

discomfort British  

/ dɪsˈkʌmfət /

noun

1. an inconvenience, distress, or mild pain

2. something that disturbs or deprives of ease

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verb

1. (tr) to make uncomfortable or uneasy

Other Word Forms

• discomfortable adjective
• discomfortingly adverb

Etymology

Origin of discomfort

First recorded in 1300–50; (for the verb) Middle English discomforten “to discourage, pain,” from Anglo-French descomforter “to sadden, grieve”; equivalent to dis- ¹ + comfort; noun derivative of verb

Example Sentences

In damaged tissue, pain-sensing nerves often extend into areas where they do not typically belong, increasing discomfort.

From Science Daily

And that tolerance for discomfort matters for reasons that go way beyond the accuracy of AI.

From The Wall Street Journal

Those sources are resolute in the face of discomfort among Labour MPs.

From BBC

And then he must profusely deny his discomfort when Jay gravely says, “I’ve offended you,” and loftily—but also threateningly?—adds,

From The Wall Street Journal

Fernando Alonso was withdrawn from the Chinese Grand Prix last Sunday because the vibrations were causing too much discomfort.

From BBC

Related Words

• ache
• annoyance
• displeasure
• disquiet
• embarrassment
• hardship
• soreness
• trouble
• uneasiness
• unpleasantness