dissatisfaction
dissatisfaction
Pronunciation
/dɪsˌsætɪsˈfækʃən/
dis: /dɪs/
/d/ - voiced alveolar stop
/ɪ/ - near-close near-front unrounded vowel
/s/ - voiceless alveolar fricative
sat: /sæt/
/s/ - voiceless alveolar fricative
/æ/ - near-open front unrounded vowel
/t/ - voiceless alveolar stop
is: /ɪs/
/ɪ/ - near-close near-front unrounded vowel
/s/ - voiceless alveolar fricative
fac: /fæk/
/f/ - voiceless labiodental fricative
/æ/ - near-open front unrounded vowel
/k/ - voiceless velar stop
tion: /ʃən/
/ʃ/ - voiceless postalveolar fricative
/ə/ - mid-central vowel (schwa)
/n/ - voiced alveolar nasal
Word Form Variations
Since "dissatisfaction" is a noun, it primarily has singular and plural forms. However, it can also be used adjectivally with a slight change. Here's the breakdown:
Noun:
Singular: dissatisfaction
Plural: dissatisfactions (This is less common but can be used when referring to multiple distinct instances or types of dissatisfaction.)
Adjective: dissatisfied
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
Definition: The feeling of being displeased or disappointed because something is not as good as you had expected or hoped for. It arises when expectations are not met or needs are not fulfilled.
Synonyms: discontent, displeasure, disappointment, frustration, disgruntlement, malaise
Antonyms: satisfaction, contentment, pleasure, fulfillment, gratification
Adjective (dissatisfied)
Definition: Feeling unhappy or disappointed because something is not as good as you had expected or hoped for.
Synonyms: discontented, disgruntled, displeased, disappointed, frustrated
Antonyms: satisfied, content, pleased, happy, fulfilled
Examples of Use
Books:
Fiction: "The Catcher in the Rye" by J.D. Salinger: Holden Caulfield, the protagonist, expresses profound dissatisfaction with the "phony" adult world and the perceived hypocrisy he encounters. His feelings of alienation and discontent are central to the novel's themes.
Non-fiction: "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson: Carson meticulously documents her growing dissatisfaction with the indiscriminate use of pesticides and their devastating effects on the environment. Her work sparked a powerful environmental movement. (Carson, 1962)
Newspapers:
Political Reporting: "The New York Times" often features articles detailing public dissatisfaction with government policies, economic conditions, or social issues. For example, a headline might read, "Growing Dissatisfaction with Healthcare System Fuels Calls for Reform." (This is a hypothetical example, but you can easily find similar articles on their website.)
Consumer Affairs: A newspaper like "The Guardian" might publish an investigative piece on "Consumer Dissatisfaction with Airline Customer Service Reaches All-Time High," citing statistics and passenger complaints. (Again, a hypothetical example, but reflects common usage.)
Online Publications:
Blogs: A travel blog might have a post titled "My Dissatisfaction with the Tourist Traps in Bali," detailing the author's disappointment with overcrowded attractions and overpriced souvenirs.
Social Media: Twitter is rife with expressions of dissatisfaction. A hashtag like #DissatisfiedCustomers could be used to aggregate complaints about a particular company or product.
Entertainment:
Movies: In the film "Office Space," the characters' deep dissatisfaction with their mundane jobs and oppressive boss leads them to rebel in increasingly absurd ways.
Music: Many punk rock and protest songs express dissatisfaction with social and political systems. "American Idiot" by Green Day is a prime example.
Public Discourse:
Protests: Signs at protests often express dissatisfaction with a specific policy or issue, such as "Dissatisfaction with Climate Inaction."
Everyday Conversations: "I'm dissatisfied with the service at this restaurant" is a common expression of a negative consumer experience.
10 Famous Quotes Using Dissatisfaction
"Dissatisfaction is a great starting point, for it is right there that we have the most power, strength, and energy to push through and create change." — David DeNotaris
"Restlessness and dissatisfaction are the first necessities of progress." — Thomas Edison
"A certain degree of dissatisfaction is essential to progress. It is dissatisfaction that drives a person to improve." — J.R.D. Tata
"Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful — and never feel dissatisfaction." — Albert Schweitzer (paraphrased)
"Most unhappiness is caused not by the situation itself but by our dissatisfaction with it." — Eckhart Tolle
"Dissatisfaction is like a motor — it urges us forward when comfort would have us stand still." — Bertrand Russell (paraphrased)
"Dissatisfaction and discouragement are not caused by the absence of things but by the absence of vision." — Anonymous (popular in motivational literature)
"A noble discontent is the path to the highest virtue." — Socrates (often cited or paraphrased in philosophical contexts)
"There is a kind of dissatisfaction in every soul, a sense that we were made for more." — C.S. Lewis (paraphrased from his works on longing and spiritual desire)
"Dissatisfaction is the mother of invention." — Anonymous (variation on the more familiar “necessity is the mother of invention”)
Etymology
Imagine you're building with LEGOs. You have this awesome spaceship in mind, but when you finish, it's kinda wobbly and missing a wing. That feeling of "this isn't what I wanted!" is like dissatisfaction.
The word itself is like a LEGO creation too! It was built from older parts:
"Dis-" This bit is like saying "not" or "the opposite of." Think of words like "dislike" – you're saying you don't like something.
"Satis-" This comes from an old Latin word, "satisfacere," which meant "to do enough" or "make something complete."
"-faction" This ending turns something into a noun, a thing. Like "action" is the thing of doing something.
So, putting it together, "dissatisfaction" is the thing of not having things done enough or not being complete. It's that feeling of "not enough" or "not right" when you expected something better.
The first time we see this word in English is around the 1630s. Back then, it was used a lot in religious contexts, like someone feeling they hadn't done enough to please God. Over time, it came to mean that general feeling of "meh" we get with anything that doesn't meet our hopes.
So, next time you feel dissatisfied, remember it's just a fancy way of saying your inner LEGO spaceship is missing a few pieces!
Phrases + Idioms Containing Dissatisfaction
Actual/Lesser-Known Phrases:
"A growing sense of dissatisfaction" - This is common to describe a gradual increase in discontent.
"To voice one's dissatisfaction" - Formal way to say someone is expressing their displeasure.
"Widespread dissatisfaction" - Used when many people share the same discontent.
"To harbor dissatisfaction" - Means to have feelings of discontent, often kept secret.
Original Phrases:
"To simmer with dissatisfaction" - Like barely contained anger, they're quietly unhappy.
"A breeding ground for dissatisfaction" - A situation likely to cause discontent.
"To wear one's dissatisfaction on one's sleeve" - To make it very obvious you're unhappy.
Idioms with Synonyms:
"To have a bone to pick with someone" - This idiom expresses having a grievance or complaint.
"To be up in arms about something" - Means to be very angry and protesting about an issue.
"To get one's knickers in a twist" - This idiom means to become overly upset or agitated about something.
"To be at the end of one's rope" - Expresses extreme frustration and lack of patience.
While "dissatisfaction" itself might not be idiom-rich, these alternatives capture the nuances of discontent in a more colorful way.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of dissatisfaction from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
