malcontent
/ˈmælkəntent/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌmælkənˈtent/ (ame, ipa) · /ˌmal-kən-ˈtent/ (ame, mw)
malcontent — noun
- malcontentsingular
- malcontentsplural
1. someone who is always unhappy about the present state of affairs and who express
someone who is always unhappy about the present state of affairs and who expresses this by complaining or trying to create difficulties for people in charge
A few malcontents at the meeting shouted down every proposal the mayor put forward.
malcontents + who oppose authority
The editorial described the protesters as a handful of bitter malcontents.
handful of + bitter malcontents
Historians now view the writer as a political malcontent who attacked every government he encountered.
The malcontents in the office blocked every new suggestion their colleagues raised.
Amina warned that the new policy would turn loyal workers into malcontents.
- dissenter
focuses on holding a different opinion, not necessarily a complaining nature
- rebel
implies active opposition to authority, often with the goal of change
- grumbler
less formal and milder; suggests low-level complaining without disruption
- agitator
implies deliberately stirring up others, often for political reasons
- conformist
someone who goes along with the existing system without complaint
- supporter
someone who actively backs the current leadership or policies
文法句型
malcontent + verb (the malcontents complain...)
用法筆記
Almost always used disapprovingly. It labels someone as habitually difficult rather than simply expressing a valid complaint.
常見錯誤
malcontent — adjective
- malcontentpositive
- more malcontentcomparative
- most malcontentsuperlative
1. feeling that the current arrangement of things is unfair or not good enough, oft
feeling that the current arrangement of things is unfair or not good enough, often leading you to criticise those who hold power
A malcontent employee circulated a petition criticising the company's new attendance policy.
attributive: malcontent + employee / noun
The malcontent tone of Wei's letter made clear he would not accept the ruling.
After the rent increase, even the most patient tenants grew malcontent and began demanding changes.
The village had a vocal malcontent population that attended council meetings to complain.
Diego's malcontent expression told his boss exactly what he thought of the new overtime rules.
- dissatisfied
more general and milder; does not imply opposition to authority
- discontented
very close in meaning but slightly less confrontational
- disgruntled
suggests personal annoyance rather than principled opposition
文法句型
malcontent + noun
be/become/grow + malcontent
用法筆記
Stronger than simply 'dissatisfied' — it carries a hint of opposition to authority and a tendency to speak out. Often used before a noun (attributive position).