dissatisfied

American  

[dis-sat-is-fahyd] / dɪsˈsæt ɪsˌfaɪd /

adjective

1. not satisfied or pleased; discontented.

2. showing dissatisfaction.

   a dissatisfied look.

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dissatisfied British  

/ dɪsˈsætɪsˌfaɪd /

adjective

1. having or showing dissatisfaction; discontented

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Other Word Forms

• dissatisfiedly adverb
• dissatisfiedness noun
• self-dissatisfied adjective

Etymology

Origin of dissatisfied

First recorded in 1665–75; dissatisfy + -ed ²

Explanation

If you're dissatisfied, you're not happy — you're annoyed and disgruntled. You probably don't enjoy eating out with your parents if they're always dissatisfied with the food they order. You might be dissatisfied with the final episode of your favorite TV show, or dissatisfied with your grades n German last semester. In either case, you're not pleased. A slightly different way to be dissatisfied is to be unconvinced: "She was dissatisfied with the answer he gave when she asked when he planned to pay back the money he owed her." Dissatisfied combines dis-, "not," and satisfied, from a Latin root, satisfacere, "do enough."

Example Sentences

The trust said it recognises some families remain dissatisfied and it takes feedback seriously.

From BBC • Mar. 19, 2026

Many of the country’s 93 million people were deeply dissatisfied with the sclerotic and often corrupt rule that characterized the 36-plus-year reign of his father.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 9, 2026

Career coaches suggest strategies for dissatisfied workers, including identifying specific dislikes and focusing on a larger purpose.

From Barron's • Feb. 7, 2026

At the recent policy meeting, Lee resurrected the idea as a way to appeal to the country’s youth, which has grown more dissatisfied with him.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 5, 2026

Some of them are like Caleb: fascinated by everything, dissatisfied until they find out how it works.

From "Insurgent" by Veronica Roth

Related Words

• discontented