discontent

American  

[dis-kuhn-tent] / ˌdɪs kənˈtɛnt /

adjective

1. not content; dissatisfied; discontented.

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noun

• discontents
  plural

1. Also discontentment. lack of contentment; dissatisfaction.

   Synonyms:

   inquietude, uneasiness, displeasure, restlessness

2. a restless desire or craving for something one does not have.

3. a malcontent.

verb (used with object)

1. to make discontented; dissatisfy; displease.

discontent British  

/ ˌdɪskənˈtɛnt /

noun

1. Also called: discontentment. lack of contentment, as with one's condition or lot in life

2. a discontented person

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adjective

1. dissatisfied

verb

1. (tr) to make dissatisfied

Synonym Usage

See dissatisfaction.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• discontentedness
  noun
• prediscontent
  noun
• prediscontentment
  noun
• discontented
  adjective
• discontentedly
  adverb

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• discontents
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of discontent

First recorded in 1485–95; dis- ¹ + content ²

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Explanation

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.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

discontent discontents

"You're playing with fire because if this move ends up adding to the anger and the discontent among so many there, then you have a very big problem on your hands."

From BBC ● Oct. 13, 2026

The announcement fuelled reports of discontent within the presidential guard, a unit seen as loyal to the former president.

From Barron's ● Oct. 8, 2026

The executives have different relationships with different members of the administration and they made their discontent known.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 24, 2026

But while no one within his party has openly challenged Merz for the top job, murmurings of discontent have grown louder.

From BBC ● Sep. 20, 2026

His eyes rested in puffy little hammocks of flesh and his mouth drooped with discontent.

From "The Pearl" by John Steinbeck

Always at the heart of these discontents was the battery—or batteries, because there has been a succession of them, an alchemist’s closet of energy-storing potions in weirdly shaped bottles.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 28, 2026

I mean the movies that reveal something to us about the highs and lows, the glories and discontents, and above all something ineffable about love itself, transcending just romance.

From New York Times ● Feb. 16, 2024

While these discontents were roiling, that's when he really met Meghan, and Meghan really reinforced his sense that he wasn't being, essentially, appreciated enough for his own gifts.

From Salon ● Jun. 2, 2022

‘Happiness’ Black comedies don’t come much blacker than Todd Solondz’s unrated, controversial 1998 tale of suburbia and its discontents.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 10, 2022

But men must work on, and Wang Lung worked as he had before, although the lengthening warm days and the sunshine and sudden rains filled everyone with longings and discontents.

From "The Good Earth" by Pearl S. Buck

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Related Words

• displeasure
• regret
• restlessness
• uneasiness
• unhappiness

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