discomfort

/dis'kʌmfət/

Thân thiện

The patient shifted in his chair to ease the discomfort in his lower back.

Definition

1. Noun:

   • An uncomfortable feeling of mental painfulness or distress: A state of mild suffering, worry, or unease in the mind.
   • The state of being tense and feeling pain: A physical sensation of slight pain, soreness, or bodily unease.

2. Verb (transitive, less common):

   • To make someone feel uneasy, anxious, or physically uncomfortable.

Examples of Usage

• Noun (Mental/Emotional):

  • She tried to hide her discomfort during the difficult conversation.
  • A feeling of discomfort arose from the ethical dilemma.

• Noun (Physical):

  • The patient reported some discomfort in his lower back.
  • The new shoes caused her considerable discomfort.

• Verb:

  • The harsh criticism discomforted the young speaker.
  • The bright lights discomforted his eyes.

Advanced Usage

• "Cause discomfort": To be the source of physical or mental unease.

  • Prolonged sitting can cause discomfort in the spine.

• "Sense of discomfort": A feeling or awareness of being uneasy.

  • He had a growing sense of discomfort about the plan's risks.

• "Mild/severe/extreme discomfort": Used to specify the intensity of the unpleasant feeling.

  • The procedure may involve mild discomfort.

Variants and Related Words

• Uncomfortable (adj): Causing or feeling discomfort.

  • The chair was very uncomfortable.

• Discomforting (adj, present participle): Causing discomfort.

  • The news was deeply discomforting.

• Discomfiture (n): A more formal synonym, often implying embarrassment or frustration as a source of discomfort.

  • He could not hide his discomfiture at the mistake.

Synonyms

• Uneasiness: A state of mental or physical discomfort.
• Malaise: A general feeling of discomfort, illness, or unease whose exact cause is difficult to identify.
• Distress: Severe anxiety, sorrow, or pain (stronger than discomfort).
• Irritation: A state of inflammation or annoyance.

Antonyms

• Comfort: A state of physical ease and freedom from pain or constraint.
• Ease: Absence of difficulty or effort; freedom from discomfort.
• Relief: The alleviation or removal of pain, distress, or discomfort.

Related Phrases

• Pill of discomfort: A metaphorical phrase for an unpleasant but necessary truth or action one must accept.

  • Admitting fault is a pill of discomfort, but it's the right thing to do.

• Zone of discomfort: A situation or experience outside one's usual comfort zone, often seen as an opportunity for growth.

  • Real learning happens in the zone of discomfort.

Học thuật

Noun

1. an uncomfortable feeling of mental painfulness or distress
2. the state of being tense and feeling pain

Từ đồng nghĩa

• soreness
• irritation
• uncomfortableness