discontent

1 of 4

adjective

dis·​con·​tent ˌdis-kən-ˈtent 

: dissatisfied, discontented

voters growing increasingly discontent

discontent

2 of 4

noun (1)

: lack of satisfaction with one's possessions, status, or situation : lack of contentment:

a

: a sense of grievance : dissatisfaction

… the winter of our discontent …

—William Shakespeare

b

: restless aspiration (see aspiration sense 1a) for improvement

discontent

3 of 4

verb

discontented; discontenting; discontents

transitive verb

: to make dissatisfied or discontented

were discontented by the decision

discontentment

ˌdis-kən-ˈtent-mənt 

noun

discontent

4 of 4

noun (2)

: one who is dissatisfied or discontented : malcontent

Synonyms of discontent

Adjective

• dissatisfied
• frustrated

Noun (1)

• dissatisfaction

Verb

• displease
• dissatisfy
• annoy

Examples of discontent in a Sentence

Adjective

Polls show that voters are growing increasingly discontent.

a novel about a woman who is desperately discontent with the stifling limitations of her small-town life

Noun (1)

the rebels worked to stir up discontent among the citizens

Verb

the ongoing lack of decent food discontented and demoralized the soldiers in the rebel army

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

As people become increasingly discontent with AI video surveillance, anti-AI fashion could soon get its time in the spotlight. — Devika Rao, TheWeek, 31 July 2026

In addition to immigration controversies, there is discontent over ticket prices. — Eduard Cauich, Los Angeles Times, 10 June 2026

Noun

While the result is not in doubt, external observers will be paying close attention to voter turnout and the margin of United Russia's victory for any signs of public discontent after more than four-and-a-half years of war. — Sam Meredith,anniek Bao, CNBC, 17 Sep. 2026

Impelled by increasing discontent, the Americans and Soviets tentatively entered arms-control discussions. — Scott W. Stern, The Atlantic, 17 Sep. 2026

Verb

Since then, higher interest rates, a housing shortage, and cost-of-living crisis have contributed to discontent over migration levels – and calls by some for a permanent cut. — Hilary Whiteman, CNN Money, 18 Sep. 2026

Claude has apparently sought to siphon users discontented with ChatGPT, unveiling an update in February that allows users to import their data from competitor AI chatbots. — Conor Murray, Forbes.com, 11 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun (1)

1581, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1549, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1598, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for discontent

• circumvent
• fundament
• malcontent
• occident
• orient
• president
• presidente
• reinvent
• represent
• underwent
• accent
• advent

Kids Definition

discontent

1 of 3 adjective

dis·​con·​tent ˌdis-kən-ˈtent 

: discontented

discontent

2 of 3 verb

: to make discontented

discontentment

-mənt

noun

discontent

3 of 3 noun

: the condition of being dissatisfied