discomfort

1 of 2

noun

1
: mental or physical uneasiness : annoyance
2
archaic : distress, grief

discomfort

2 of 2

verb

dis·​com·​fort dis-ˈkəm(p)-fərt How to pronounce discomfort (audio)
discomforted; discomforting; discomforts

transitive verb

1
: to make uncomfortable or uneasy
2
archaic : dismay sense 1
discomfortable
dis-ˈkəm(p)-fər-tə-bəl How to pronounce discomfort (audio)
-ˈkəm(p)f-tər-bəl
adjective

Example Sentences

Noun The patient is still experiencing some discomfort. These new developments are being watched with discomfort by many of our allies. Verb the harsh criticism of his musical talent did not discomfort him in the least
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Other limited side effects were nausea and nasal discomfort. Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 23 Mar. 2023 The intestinal disorder is associated with recurring abdominal pain or discomfort, along with altered bowel habits over a period of at least three months. Women's Health, 22 Mar. 2023 Eye pain or discomfort. Erika Edwards, NBC News, 22 Mar. 2023 Post-laser hair removal, use cool compresses, aloe, coconut oil, or cortisone cream to ease any pain or discomfort. Leah Campano, Seventeen, 21 Mar. 2023 Lonzo Ball will undergo a third surgical procedure in an attempt to resolve the pain and discomfort in his left knee that has kept him off the court for the majority of his first two seasons with the Chicago Bulls. Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 16 Mar. 2023 However, some changes in panting behavior can be traced to nausea and discomfort or other more serious illnesses like heart failure and respiratory illnesses. Anna Kaufman, USA TODAY, 15 Mar. 2023 Other side effects were nasal discomfort and nausea. Brenda Goodman, CNN, 10 Mar. 2023 These candies specifically include anti-inflammatory characteristics that help promote relaxation and relieve pain and discomfort in addition to being beneficial in reducing anxiety, chronic pain, depression, muscular and joint pain. 27. Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 5 Mar. 2023
Verb
Even so, plot coincidences can pile up along the way, and the Padavanos themselves comment on the soap-opera twists that discomfort and reconfigure their relationships. Diane Cole, Washington Post, 12 Mar. 2023 Coming face-to-face with these strange beings, so seemingly separate from the human realm, poets have expressed wonder, bewilderment, and sometimes discomfort. Henri Cole, The Atlantic, 18 Sep. 2022 However, some people, including the graphic novel’s author, Art Spiegelman, believe the real reason it was removed was disinterest in or discomfort with Holocaust education on the part of Tennessee lawmakers. Helen Kapstein, The Conversation, 28 July 2022 Making sure your sock fits properly is the best way to avoid blisters or discomfort mid-hike. Emma Seymour, Good Housekeeping, 8 June 2022 This week my mind has been on the kinds of books that attempt to deliberately discomfort us by holding up those individual or societal flaws to a kind of scrutiny that is critical, even reaching toward a place of ridicule. John Warner, Chicago Tribune, 7 May 2022 Perhaps only when people are so comfortable together (the actors were roommates at Carnegie Mellon School of Drama) can discomfort be played and transcended so authentically. New York Times, 2 May 2022 And despite my own misgivings about how the medical industry treats us, about how America treats us, my desire to end this by doing the collective good is greater than my skepticism of and discomfort with it. Damon Young, Washington Post, 2 Feb. 2022 As public education becomes an ever-hotter political issue, some governors and school boards have begun banning books and curricula that some concerned citizens find objectionable or believe may cause parents or students discomfort. Peter Weber, The Week, 26 Jan. 2022 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'discomfort.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, from Anglo-French descomforter, from des- dis- + comforter to comfort

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of discomfort was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near discomfort

Cite this Entry

“Discomfort.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/discomfort. Accessed 1 Apr. 2023.

Kids Definition

discomfort

1 of 2 verb
dis·​com·​fort dis-ˈkəm(p)-fərt How to pronounce discomfort (audio)
: to make uncomfortable or uneasy : distress

discomfort

2 of 2 noun
: physical or mental uneasiness

More from Merriam-Webster on discomfort

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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