Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Discontented, dissatisfied, or rebellious, especially toward authority or the established order: Describes a person who is unhappy with the current situation, often expressing criticism or a desire for change.

2. Noun:

   • A person who is chronically discontented or dissatisfied, often one who complains or rebels against authority: Refers to an individual who is habitually unhappy with the way things are and may express this through criticism or opposition.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:

  • The malcontent employees formed a union to address their grievances.
  • His malcontent attitude made him a difficult person to work with on the committee.

• Noun:

  • The ruler feared the malcontents who were plotting against the government.
  • Every office has a malcontent who complains about every new policy.

Advanced Usage

• As a literary or historical descriptor: Often used to describe characters or figures in history who are rebels or dissidents.

  • The play's protagonist is a malcontent philosopher who challenges the king's decrees.

• In political or social analysis: Used to label groups or individuals who are systematically opposed to the status quo.

  • The party dismissed its critics as a small group of malcontents with no real solutions.

Variants and Related Words

• Malcontented (Adjective): A less common variant with the same meaning as the adjective "malcontent."

  • The malcontented nobles sought to overthrow the regime.

• Discontent (Noun/Adjective/Verb): A more general term for a state of dissatisfaction.

• Dissident (Noun): Often implies a more active, political form of opposition.

Synonyms

• Adjective: Disaffected, dissatisfied, rebellious, disgruntled.
• Noun: Grumbler, complainer, rebel, agitator, dissident.

Related Phrases and Idioms

• To sow discord among malcontents: To encourage dissatisfaction among those already discontented.

  • The agent's mission was to sow discord among the malcontents in the province.

• A nest of malcontents: A group of people united by their shared dissatisfaction.

  • The basement cafe was known as a nest of artistic malcontents.

Adjective

1. discontented as toward authority

Noun

1. a person who is discontented or disgusted