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Complacent vs Discontent - What's the difference?

complacent | discontent |

As adjectives the difference between complacent and discontent

is that complacent is uncritically satisfied with oneself or one's achievements; smug while discontent is not content; discontented; dissatisfied.

As a noun discontent is

dissatisfaction.

As a verb discontent is

to deprive of contentment; to make uneasy; to dissatisfy.

complacent

English

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • Uncritically satisfied with oneself or one's achievements; smug.
  • Apathetic with regard to an apparent need or problem.
  • Usage notes

    * (term) should not be confused with its homophone, complaisant.

    Synonyms

    * smug * self-satisfied

    Derived terms

    * (l) * self-complacent

    discontent

    English

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • Dissatisfaction.
  • A longing for better times or circumstances.
  • * "Now is the winter of our discontent Made glorious summer by this son of York" Richard III, Act 1, Scene I Shakespeare
  • A discontented person. (see also malcontent ).
  • Verb

    (en verb)
  • To deprive of contentment; to make uneasy; to dissatisfy.
  • Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Not content; discontented; dissatisfied.
  • (Jeremy Taylor)
  • * Bunyan
  • Passion seemed to be much discontent , but Patience was very quiet.