What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
curmudgeon
Example
The old man next door is a curmudgeon who never smiles or says hello. [curmudgeon: noun]
Example
She became a curmudgeon after her retirement and started complaining about everything. [curmudgeonly: adjective]
malcontent
Example
The malcontent employee was always complaining about the company policies and procedures. [malcontent: noun]
Example
He had a malcontent attitude towards life and never seemed to be happy. [malcontent: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Curmudgeon is less common than malcontent in everyday language. Curmudgeon is often used in a humorous or affectionate way, while malcontent is used more seriously to describe a person's negative attitude.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between curmudgeon and malcontent?
Both curmudgeon and malcontent are informal words that are not typically used in formal contexts. However, malcontent may be slightly more formal than curmudgeon due to its neutral connotation.
