: 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
William Shakespeare
b
: restless aspiration (see aspiration sense 1a) for improvement
discontented; discontenting; discontents
: to make dissatisfied or discontented
were discontented by the decision
: one who is dissatisfied or discontented : malcontent
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
Peter Tonguette, The Washington Examiner, 9 Jan. 2026
Aside from the geopolitical wrangling over the event, there has been discontent surrounding the summit from many in South Africa.
—NPR, 21 Nov. 2025
Regina Garcia Cano, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2026
Guanipa pointed to worsening conditions, including blackouts, failing services and extremely low wages, as factors driving popular discontent.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 9 Apr. 2026
Jennifer De Pinto, CBS News, 3 Mar. 2026
Through his script, Kaplow and Hawke bring to life a shrewd, longing and vulnerably discontented Hart, who during the course of roughly 90 minutes charms and transports audiences.
—Trey Williams, HollywoodReporter, 14 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for discontent
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Adjective
Despite his level-headedness, Mike is mightily discontent with the low-wattage gigs that are arranged for him by, of all people, his dentist (Fisher Stevens), who soon replaces that absent tooth.
—Peter Tonguette, The Washington Examiner, 9 Jan. 2026
Aside from the geopolitical wrangling over the event, there has been discontent surrounding the summit from many in South Africa.
—NPR, 21 Nov. 2025
Noun
The election Sunday takes place during a surge in violent crime and corruption, fueling widespread discontent among voters, who largely view candidates as dishonest and unprepared for the presidency.
—Regina Garcia Cano, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2026
Guanipa pointed to worsening conditions, including blackouts, failing services and extremely low wages, as factors driving popular discontent.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 9 Apr. 2026
Verb
Does discontent with the Trump administration help with the Democrats?
—Jennifer De Pinto, CBS News, 3 Mar. 2026
Through his script, Kaplow and Hawke bring to life a shrewd, longing and vulnerably discontented Hart, who during the course of roughly 90 minutes charms and transports audiences.
—Trey Williams, HollywoodReporter, 14 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for discontent
Cite this Entry
“Discontent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/discontent. Accessed 15 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
discontent
1 of 3 adjective
dis·con·tent
ˌdis-kən-ˈtent 
discontent
2 of 3 verb
: to make discontented
discontentment
noun
-mənt
discontent
3 of 3 noun
: the condition of being dissatisfied
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