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 

discomforted; discomforting; discomforts

transitive verb

1

: to make uncomfortable or uneasy

2

archaic : dismay sense 1

discomfortable

dis-ˈkəm(p)-fər-tə-bəl 

-ˈkəm(p)f-tər-bəl

adjective

Synonyms of discomfort

Verb

• concern
• worry
• bother
• alarm
• disturb
• distract
• anger
• distress
• upset
• disquiet
• plague
• dismay
• unsettle

Examples of discomfort in a Sentence

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

Tight end Travis Kelce appeared to injure his ankle early in the game but returned and played through the discomfort, finishing with four receptions for 53 yards. — Kansas City Star, 18 Oct. 2026

The rest of that encounter is charged with the discomfort of Evans’s open distrust of Seyfried and Seyfried’s own defensiveness of her work. — Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 17 Oct. 2026

Pay attention when discomfort feels different, persists, or worsens. — Angela Haupt, Time, 16 Oct. 2026

Both are avoidable, and both come from the same conversation that is essential to have but often not had because of boards’ and leaders’ discomfort with being direct and upfront from the beginning. — Christina Greenberg, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026

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

Rhymes for discomfort

• comfort

Kids Definition

discomfort

1 of 2 verb

dis·​com·​fort dis-ˈkəm(p)-fərt 

: to make uncomfortable or uneasy : distress

discomfort

2 of 2 noun

: physical or mental uneasiness