general discontent

Meanings

1. 1noununcountable

   A feeling of unhappiness or dissatisfaction shared by many people in a group or society.

   Grammar: Used without an or an and without a plural: general discontent grew, not a general discontent.

   Patterns

   • general discontent with something
   • general discontent among someone
   • cause/express general discontent
   • growing/widespread general discontent

   The new tax led to general discontent among small business owners.

   Surveys showed general discontent with the way the city was being run.

   After months of delays, general discontent spread through the workforce.

2. 2noununcountableformal

   Widespread dissatisfaction with a government, institution, or system, often seen as a cause of protest or change.

   Grammar: Often followed by with or at plus the thing people are unhappy about.

   Patterns

   • general discontent with the government
   • general discontent at the situation
   • fuel/reflect general discontent

   General discontent with the government was a major factor in the election result.

   The report warned that general discontent could lead to strikes.

   General discontent at the lack of housing is growing in many cities.

Common combinations

general discontent with

There is growing general discontent with the pace of reform.

widespread general discontent

Widespread general discontent forced the minister to resign.

growing general discontent

Growing general discontent among young voters worried the party.

cause general discontent

Poor pay and long hours caused general discontent in the factory.

express general discontent

Several letters to the newspaper expressed general discontent about the new road.

Synonyms and how they differ

dissatisfaction

A more general word for being unhappy with something; it can describe one person or many, while general discontent usually suggests a shared mood in a larger group.

unrest

Stronger and more active: unrest suggests protests or trouble, whereas general discontent can be quiet unhappiness that has not yet turned into action.

disaffection

More formal and often political, suggesting people have stopped feeling loyal to a group or leader; general discontent simply describes widespread unhappiness.

Opposites

Word family

discontent noun

Unhappiness with a situation; the uncountable noun behind the phrase.

discontented adjective

Feeling unhappy and not satisfied.

content adjective

Happy and satisfied with what you have.

discontentedly adverb

In a way that shows unhappiness or dissatisfaction.

Commonly confused: general discontent or discontented? general discontent or disconnection?

Practice

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