discontent
gb/dɪskəntˈɛnt/ us/dɪskəntˈɛnt/
B2
English
~ 6500
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B2
state
1
general feeling of dissatisfaction
An unhappy feeling because you do not like your situation or the way things are.
Usage pattern:
discontent with [something]
Common mistake:
Learners often say *"discontent of"* instead of *"discontent with"*. Use *discontent with [something]* to show what people are unhappy about. Another common mistake is using *"a discontent"* for the general feeling; usually, the noun is uncountable in this sense and used without *a*.
Synonyms
dissatisfaction (More neutral and slightly more formal; very close in meaning.)
|
unhappiness (More general emotional term, not always about specific conditions or systems.)
|
restlessness (Suggests unease and desire for change rather than simple unhappiness.)
|
resentment (Adds a feeling of anger towards someone or something seen as responsible.)
Antonyms
contentment (Describes a calm, satisfied state, the opposite of feeling unhappy with your situation.)
|
satisfaction (Focuses on the feeling of being pleased because needs or expectations are met.)
Collocations
widespread discontent
|growing discontent
|public discontent
|political discontent
|discontent with [the government]
|discontent among [workers]
Themes
emotions
|society
|work
|politics
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- There is growing discontent with the rising cost of living.
- Public discontent forced the government to change its policy.
- She felt a deep discontent with her life in the city.
- The company ignored signs of discontent among its employees.
- Economic problems have created widespread discontent across the region.
Learner examples
- Many people feel discontent with their jobs.
- There was discontent among the students after the exam.
- His face clearly showed discontent with the decision.
- The new rules caused discontent in the office.
- Discontent grew as food prices went up.
adjective
B2
state
2
feeling unhappy with situation
Not happy with your situation or with what is happening.
Usage pattern:
[someone] is discontent with [something]
Common mistake:
Learners often confuse *discontent* (adjective) with *discontented*. Both exist, but *dissatisfied* and *unhappy* are more common in modern English. Also, do not say *"discontent of"*; say *discontent with [something]*.
Synonyms
dissatisfied (The most direct and common equivalent; slightly more formal and used very widely.)
|
unhappy (More general emotion; does not always focus on a specific cause or situation.)
|
restless (Emphasizes wanting change more than simply being unhappy.)
Antonyms
content (Describes a calm, satisfied feeling with your situation; direct opposite of discontent as an adjective.)
|
satisfied (Stresses that needs or expectations are met, so there is no reason to feel discontent.)
Collocations
discontent employees
|a discontent customer
|feel discontent with [your job]
|increasingly discontent
|discontent voters
Themes
emotions
|work
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Many young people are discontent with their career prospects.
- The workers are increasingly discontent with their low wages.
- She seemed discontent with the way the project was managed.
- A discontent middle class can be a powerful force for change.
- Voters have grown discontent with traditional political parties.
Learner examples
- He is discontent with his job.
- The students are discontent with the new rules.
- She feels discontent with her life in the city.
- Discontent customers may not come back to the store.
- Many people are discontent with the service.
Noun
formal
C1
entity
3
specific grievances or dissatisfactions
The special problems or reasons that make people feel unhappy about their life or their society.
Usage pattern:
the discontents of [something]
Common mistake:
Learners may not realize that *discontents* in the plural can mean several separate problems or complaints, not just a strong form of the singular *discontent*. It is often used in more formal or academic writing.
Synonyms
grievances (Formal term for specific complaints that people may raise against authorities or systems.)
|
frustrations (Focuses more on blocked desires or goals as the source of unhappiness.)
|
ills (More literary; refers to problems or harms in society.)
Antonyms
satisfactions (Refers to things that please people or make them feel positive about their situation.)
Collocations
the discontents of modern life
|social and economic discontents
|address these discontents
|express their discontents
|political discontents
Themes
society
|politics
|emotions
Examples
- The book explores the discontents of modern capitalism.
- Any new government will have to deal with deep social and economic discontents.
- The protest movement gave voice to long‑standing discontents in rural areas.
- Leaders must listen carefully to the discontents of young people.
- Art can express the hidden discontents of a society.
Learner examples
- The film shows the discontents of city life.
- They talked about the discontents of working online.
- The party ignored many public discontents.
- The report lists the main discontents of the workers.
- His poems speak about the discontents of youth.
Noun
literary
C1
entity
4
dissatisfied, complaining person
A person who is not happy with what is happening and may complain or want big change.
Usage pattern:
a discontent in [an organization]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes think *discontent* can mean any unhappy person in everyday speech, but this countable use is mainly literary or political and is less common in modern conversation.
Synonyms
dissident (Usually refers to someone who openly opposes a government or powerful organization; more political.)
|
malcontent (Formal/literary term for a person who is always dissatisfied or rebellious.)
|
critic (Focuses on someone who points out faults, not always personally unhappy.)
Antonyms
supporter (Backs the existing system or leadership instead of opposing it through dissatisfaction.)
|
loyalist (Actively supports and stays faithful to the current leaders or system.)
Collocations
a vocal discontent
|a group of discontents
|political discontents
|young discontents
|discontents within the party
Themes
politics
|society
|emotions
Examples
- The leader tried to silence the discontents within the party.
- Reforms were introduced to win over young discontents in the cities.
- The regime labeled all critics as dangerous discontents.
- A small group of discontents began to organize secret meetings.
- The company must listen to its internal discontents or risk losing talent.
Learner examples
- The king feared the discontents in his court.
- Several discontents left the company last year.
- The ruler jailed many discontents after the protest.
- A few discontents started a new political group.
- The manager tried to speak with the main discontent on the team.
Verb
literary
C2
action
5
to make someone dissatisfied
To make someone feel unhappy with their situation or with what is happening.
Usage pattern:
[something] discontents [someone]
Common mistake:
Most learners do not need this verb, and it sounds formal or old‑fashioned in modern English. Learners usually should use *make [someone] unhappy* or *dissatisfy* instead. Be careful not to confuse the verb *discontent* with the adjective *discontent* or the more common adjective *discontented*.
Synonyms
dissatisfy (Very close in meaning but more formal and rare; often used in passive constructions.)
|
displease (Focuses on making someone unhappy or annoyed, not always about a wider situation.)
Antonyms
satisfy (Means to give someone what they want or expect so they do not feel discontent.)
|
please (General opposite in terms of emotional effect: to make someone feel happy or content.)
Collocations
deeply discontented by [something]
|policies that discontent voters
|nothing could discontent him
Themes
emotions
|literature
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Nothing in his comfortable life seemed to discontent him.
- The slow pace of reform discontented many of the younger members.
- Harsh working conditions soon discontented the factory workers.
- Broken promises have discontented much of the party’s base.
- It is unwise to make policies that discontent your most loyal supporters.
Learner examples
- The new rule discontented many students.
- High prices discontented the customers.
- Nothing could discontent the happy child.
- Late payments discontented the workers.
- The changes discontented some older members.
Grammar
Dictionary form
discontent
IPA
GB/dɪskəntˈɛnt/
US/dɪskəntˈɛnt/
Syllables & stress
dis - con - tent (3 syllables)
Stress on 3rd syllable (tent)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: discontent
Noun
- Base: discontent
- Plural: discontent, discontents
Verb
- Base: discontent
- 3rd Person Singular: discontents
- Present Participle: discontenting
- Past: discontented
Word family
Forms
discontents
noun
discontenting
verb
discontented
verb
Core family
content
adjective A2
contentment
noun B2
Related words
contented
adjective
contentedly
adverb
discontentedly
adverb
Advanced or less common
discontentment
noun
Expressions
express discontent
1/ɪkspɹˈɛs dɪskəntˈɛnt/
fixed phrase
to show or state dissatisfaction
To say or show that you are not happy with something.
Examples
- Citizens used social media to express discontent with the decision.
- Employees expressed discontent over the lack of promotion opportunities.
fuel discontent
1/fjˈul dɪskəntˈɛnt/
fixed phrase
to increase dissatisfaction
To make people’s discontent stronger.
Examples
- Rising prices have fueled discontent in the region.
- The scandal only fueled discontent with the government.
general discontent
1/d͡ʒˈɛnɚəl dɪskəntˈɛnt/
fixed phrase
broad, non‑specific dissatisfaction
A wide feeling of discontent that many people share, not about one small thing.
Examples
- There is a general discontent with politics among young voters.
- The survey points to general discontent in the workplace.
growing discontent
1/ɡɹˈoʊɪŋ dɪskəntˈɛnt/
fixed phrase
increasing dissatisfaction among people
Discontent that is becoming stronger or more common over time.
Examples
- There is growing discontent over low wages.
- The survey shows growing discontent with the health‑care system.
public discontent
1/pˈʌblɪk dɪskəntˈɛnt/
fixed phrase
dissatisfaction among the public
Discontent that many ordinary people in a country or area feel.
Examples
- Public discontent forced the mayor to resign.
- The new tax has caused public discontent across the region.
show discontent
1/ʃˈoʊ dɪskəntˈɛnt/
fixed phrase
to display dissatisfaction
To act or speak in a way that makes your discontent clear.
Examples
- Fans showed their discontent by leaving the game early.
- Workers showed discontent during the meeting through their silence.
voice discontent
1/vˈɔɪs dɪskəntˈɛnt/
fixed phrase
formal
to speak about dissatisfaction
To say clearly that you are unhappy with something.
Examples
- Several members voiced discontent with the leader’s strategy.
- Residents have voiced discontent about the new building project.
widespread discontent
1/wˈaɪdspɹˈɛd dɪskəntˈɛnt/
fixed phrase
dissatisfaction among many people
Discontent that many people feel, not just a few.
Examples
- Widespread discontent led to large protests in the capital.
- The report warns of widespread discontent among teachers.