discontentment

Intermediate (B1)

IPA: /ˌdɪs.kənˈtɛnt.mənt/

KK: /dɪsˈkɒntɛntmənt/

noun

Definition

A feeling of unhappiness or dissatisfaction with one's situation or circumstances.

Example

Her discontentment with the job led her to seek new opportunities.

Conversation

I’ve been feeling a lot of discontentment with my job lately.

Really? What’s bothering you about it?

I just feel like I'm not challenged enough, you know?

I get that; sometimes it helps to talk to your boss about it.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

dissatisfaction

displeasure

unhappiness

Antonyms

contentment

satisfaction

happiness

Root Explanation

Discontentment is formed from "dis-" (meaning apart or away) and "content" (from Latin "contentus", meaning satisfied or pleased) and "-ment" (a suffix used to form nouns indicating an action or resulting state). The word describes a state of being away from satisfaction or a feeling of unhappiness.

Memory Tip

Think of being 'away' ('dis-') from feeling 'satisfied' ('content') — that's why discontentment means a lack of satisfaction.

Visually Confused Words

prediscontentment