What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
discontent
Example
She felt a sense of discontent with her job and was considering a career change. [discontent: noun]
Example
The protesters expressed their discontent with the government's policies. [discontent: adjective]
dissatisfaction
Example
There was widespread dissatisfaction with the quality of service provided by the company. [dissatisfaction: noun]
Example
He expressed his dissatisfaction with the way the project was being managed. [dissatisfaction: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Dissatisfaction is more commonly used in everyday language than discontent. It is a versatile word that can be used in various contexts, while discontent is less common and is usually reserved for more formal or literary writing.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between discontent and dissatisfaction?
Discontent is a more formal and literary term than dissatisfaction, which is more commonly used in everyday language. Therefore, discontent may be more appropriate in formal or academic writing, while dissatisfaction is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.