Library / English Dictionary

DISCONTENT

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (noun) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

A longing for something better than the present situation

Synonyms:

discontent; discontentedness; discontentment

Classified under:

Nouns denoting feelings and emotions

Hypernyms ("discontent" is a kind of...):

hungriness; longing; yearning (prolonged unfulfilled desire or need)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "discontent"):

disgruntlement (a feeling of sulky discontent)

dysphoria (abnormal depression and discontent)

dissatisfaction (the feeling of being displeased and discontent)

Derivation:

discontent (make dissatisfied)

discontent (showing or experiencing dissatisfaction or restless longing)

 II. (adjective) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Showing or experiencing dissatisfaction or restless longing

Example:

was discontented with his position

Synonyms:

discontent; discontented

Classified under:

Adjectives

Similar:

disaffected; ill-affected; malcontent; rebellious (discontented as toward authority)

disgruntled; dissatisfied (in a state of sulky dissatisfaction)

restless; ungratified; unsatisfied (worried and uneasy)

Also:

unhappy (experiencing or marked by or causing sadness or sorrow or discontent)

displeased (not pleased; experiencing or manifesting displeasure)

Derivation:

discontent (a longing for something better than the present situation)

 III. (verb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Make dissatisfied

Classified under:

Verbs of feeling

Hypernyms (to "discontent" is one way to...):

dissatisfy (fail to satisfy)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s somebody
Something ----s somebody

Sentence example:

The performance is likely to discontent Sue

Antonym:

content (make content)

Derivation:

discontent; discontentment (a longing for something better than the present situation)

Credits

 Context examples: 

The studied indifference, insolence, and discontent of her husband gave her no pain; and when he scolded or abused her, she was highly diverted.

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)

Hence the fierce mutterings of the lower classes and the constant discontent, breaking out into local tumult and outrage, and culminating some years later in the great rising of Tyler.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Altogether, look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and discontent upon his features.

(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

But the violation of marriage, or any other unchastity, was never heard of; and the married pair pass their lives with the same friendship and mutual benevolence, that they bear to all others of the same species who come in their way, without jealousy, fondness, quarrelling, or discontent.

(Gulliver's Travels into several remote nations of the world, by Jonathan Swift)

If an order were given, John would be on his crutch in an instant, with the cheeriest Aye, aye, sir! in the world; and when there was nothing else to do, he kept up one song after another, as if to conceal the discontent of the rest.

(Treasure Island, by Robert Louis Stevenson)

On the other hand, it was furnished with the neatness and taste which belonged to his character, so that his most luxurious friends found something in the tiny rooms which made them discontented with their own sumptuous mansions.

(Rodney Stone, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Yes, I preferred the elderly and discontented doctor, surrounded by friends and cherishing honest hopes; and bade a resolute farewell to the liberty, the comparative youth, the light step, leaping impulses and secret pleasures, that I had enjoyed in the disguise of Hyde.

(The Strange Case Of Dr. Jekyll And Mr. Hyde, by Robert Louis Stevenson)

The preparing and the going abroad in such weather, with the sacrifice of his children after dinner, were evils, were disagreeables at least, which Mr. John Knightley did not by any means like; he anticipated nothing in the visit that could be at all worth the purchase; and the whole of their drive to the vicarage was spent by him in expressing his discontent.

(Emma, by Jane Austen)

That Lady Russell, of steady age and character, and extremely well provided for, should have no thought of a second marriage, needs no apology to the public, which is rather apt to be unreasonably discontented when a woman does marry again, than when she does not; but Sir Walter's continuing in singleness requires explanation.

(Persuasion, by Jane Austen)

The friendly frankness was disturbed, the sunshine had a shadow over it, and despite their apparent gaiety, there was a secret discontent in the heart of each.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)