Language tip of the week: dissatisfied

In this weekly post, we bring more useful content from the Macmillan Dictionary to English language learners. In this series of language tips to accompany the Real Vocabulary theme we look at how you can expand your vocabulary in English by using different words and expressions instead of core vocabulary items.

This set of language tips will explore the words and phrases we use to talk about feelings. This week’s tip looks at adjectives and phrases that mean dissatisfied:

dissatisfied or not satisfied annoyed because something is not as good as you expected it to be:
He had been feeling very dissatisfied with his life in recent months. ♦ I’m not at all satisfied with the standard of your work.
unhappy or not happy not satisfied with someone or something:
People are very unhappy about the high ticket prices. ♦ I’m not happy with you taking more time off.
discontented or not content not satisfied with something because you want something better:
The workforce are discontented with the new working arrangements. ♦ He was not content to play a supporting role.
displeased or not pleased not satisfied and feeling rather annoyed, especially because of the way someone has behaved or the way something has been done:
Employees were displeased with the reduction in benefits. ♦ We are not at all pleased with the situation.
Displeased is rather formal and is used mainly in written English.
disgruntled dissatisfied and annoyed about something, especially because you feel you have not been treated fairly:
Disgruntled shareholders sued, claiming they had been misled.
fed up dissatisfied and slightly annoyed with something you feel you have accepted for too long:
I’m really fed up with this job. ♦ She is fed up to the back teeth with his constant rudeness.
Fed up is informal.

Did you know that Macmillan Dictionary includes a full thesaurus? This page lists more ways to say ‘dissatisfied‘.