discontented

discontented — adjective

1. feeling annoyed or dissatisfied because your current situation is not as good as

1.adjectiveB2
Definition

feeling annoyed or dissatisfied because your current situation is not as good as you feel it should be

Example

Diego felt increasingly discontented with the long hours and low pay at his job.

collocation: discontented with + noun

A group of discontented residents attended the town meeting to oppose the new road plan.

attributive use before noun

Common collocations
  • feel discontented with/about
  • grow discontented
  • become discontented
  • increasingly discontented
  • a discontented [person/group/crowd]
Synonyms
  • dissatisfied

    closer in meaning and more common; focuses on unmet expectations or standards

  • disgruntled

    more informal and suggests annoyance about a specific grievance, often at work

  • malcontent

    stronger and more formal; suggests someone who actively complains and stirs up trouble

Antonyms
  • contented

    the direct opposite — feeling happy and satisfied with one's situation

  • satisfied

    less intense than contented; having one's needs or expectations met

Grammar Patterns

discontented with [noun phrase]

discontented about [noun phrase]

[be/grow/feel] discontented

Usage Note

Frequently followed by 'with' (discontented with a situation) or 'about' (discontented about a specific issue). Also commonly used before a noun, as in 'discontented workers' or 'a discontented crowd'.

Common Mistakes

She was discontented of her salary.
She was discontented with her salary.
The correct preposition after discontented is with or about, not of.
He is discontent.
He is discontented.
Discontent is a noun or adjective used mainly before nouns; discontented is the standard adjective form for describing how someone feels.

Word family

  • discontent
    nounB2
  • discontentedly
    adverbC1
  • discontentment
    nounC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

Dissatisfied is the closest synonym and the most common; it describes unmet expectations but can be mild ('dissatisfied with a meal'). Discontented has a deeper, longer-lasting feeling — it is less about one event and more about a whole situation or condition of life. Disgruntled is more informal and suggests a specific annoyance that makes someone sulky or resentful, often in a work setting ('disgruntled employees after the pay cut'). Malcontent is stronger and more formal, describing someone who not only feels unhappy but also complains openly or tries to change things. Unhappy is the broadest term and covers everything from temporary sadness to deep dissatisfaction. Example: Aiko was dissatisfied with her hotel room, discontented with her career, disgruntled about the broken elevator, and unhappy about her whole situation.

dissatisfied ↗disgruntledmalcontentunhappy ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • feel discontented
  • grow discontented
  • become discontented
  • remain discontented

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

Comes from the prefix 'dis-' (meaning 'not' or 'opposite of') added to 'contented' (satisfied, peaceful). The word entered English in the late 1500s, formed from the earlier noun 'discontent', which came from Old French and ultimately from Latin 'contentus' meaning 'satisfied'.