Disgruntled

Part of Speech

Adjective

Pronunciation

/dɪsˈɡrʌnt(ə)ld/

Definitions

• Feeling dissatisfied or annoyed.
• Showing signs of unhappiness or displeasure.

Usage Examples

• The disgruntled employees staged a protest over unfair wages.
• She gave a disgruntled sigh when her request was denied.
• Customers were disgruntled by the store’s poor service.

Etymology

Derived from "dis-" (expressing reversal) and "gruntle," meaning to grumble or complain. "Disgruntled" emerged in the 17th century to describe dissatisfaction.

Synonyms

• Annoyed
• Dissatisfied
• Irritated
• Frustrated
• Resentful

Antonyms

• Content
• Pleased
• Cheerful
• Satisfied
• Happy

Translations

Regional Pronunciation Variations

American English tends to pronounce the "t" softly, whereas British English pronounces it more clearly.

Historical Usage

First used in the late 1600s, "disgruntled" evolved from "gruntle," which originally meant "to complain quietly." Over time, the term became a standard way to describe dissatisfaction.

Cultural Nuances

Disgruntlement is expressed differently across cultures—some societies are vocal about complaints, while others discourage open dissatisfaction.

More Information

"Disgruntled" is frequently used in workplaces, customer service, and social contexts to describe people who are mildly or severely displeased with a situation.