discomfort
mild physical pain or unease
A small, unpleasant feeling in your body, like light pain or pressure, not strong enough to be called real pain.
[someone] feels discomfort in [a body part]
- She felt a sharp discomfort in her lower back after lifting the box.
- If you experience any chest discomfort, contact your doctor immediately.
- The new shoes caused some discomfort around his ankles.
- These exercises may cause mild discomfort at first, but it should fade quickly.
- He shifted in his chair to ease the discomfort in his knees.
- I feel some discomfort in my neck.
- The tight shoes give me discomfort when I walk.
- After the long flight, I had discomfort in my legs.
- This cream can help reduce skin discomfort.
- Tell the nurse if you have any discomfort during the test.
emotional or social unease
A bad feeling when you feel nervous, shy, or not relaxed in a situation or when talking about something difficult.
[someone's] discomfort with [a situation or topic]
- His discomfort with public speaking was obvious as he avoided eye contact with the audience.
- The interviewer noticed her discomfort when the topic of salary came up.
- The graphic details in the film caused some viewers visible discomfort.
- She tried to hide her discomfort during the tense meeting.
- To my discomfort, they started asking very personal questions.
- He showed discomfort when we talked about money.
- I feel discomfort when I speak English in front of many people.
- The strange question gave her a lot of discomfort.
- His face clearly showed discomfort during the interview.
- She wrote an email to express her discomfort with the new policy.
state of not being comfortable
The general situation when you are not comfortable, for example because a place is too hot, too cold, crowded, or not convenient.
the discomfort of [an activity or condition]
- We apologize for any discomfort caused during the building work.
- He endured the discomfort of the long, crowded train ride without complaining.
- They decided the discomfort of camping was worth the beautiful mountain views.
- The company tried to reduce passenger discomfort by improving the seats.
- Despite the discomfort of night shifts, she stayed in the job for the higher pay.
- We had to live with some discomfort while the house was being fixed.
- The bus was full, and the trip was three hours of discomfort.
- He accepted the discomfort of a small room to save money.
- The manager said sorry for the discomfort during the move.
- She did not like the discomfort of working late at night.
to make someone feel uneasy
To make a person feel not comfortable, for example by making them feel a little pain, shy, or worried.
[something] discomforts [someone]
- The graphic descriptions may discomfort some readers.
- He was clearly discomforted by the personal nature of the questions.
- The silence between them seemed to discomfort her more than his direct criticism.
- Such jokes can discomfort people who have had similar experiences.
- The topic still discomforts many members of the community.
- The question seemed to discomfort him.
- Her direct words discomforted the guests.
- These photos may discomfort some people.
- The idea of change discomforts many workers.
- The story discomforted the audience in the room.
- Base: discomfort
- Plural: discomfort, discomforts
cause discomfort
1make someone feel discomfort
To make a person or group feel discomfort, either in their body or in their mind.
- The tight bandage may cause discomfort but should not be painful.
- Some comments in the meeting caused discomfort among the staff.
express discomfort
1show or say you feel discomfort
To say or show that you feel discomfort about something.
- Several employees expressed discomfort with the new monitoring system.
- Residents have expressed discomfort about the level of noise at night.
feel discomfort
1experience physical or emotional discomfort
To notice and have a feeling of discomfort in your body or your mind.
- If you feel discomfort in your chest, stop exercising immediately.
- Many students feel discomfort when they have to speak in front of the whole class.
in discomfort
1in a state of discomfort
In a situation where you feel discomfort, usually for some time.
- He sat in discomfort through the three-hour lecture.
- The patients were left waiting in discomfort in the crowded hallway.
to one's discomfort
1resulting in someone’s discomfort
Used to say that something makes a person feel discomfort, often in a polite or formal way.
- To his discomfort, everyone in the room turned to look at him.
- She discovered, to her discomfort, that her microphone had been on the whole time.