discomfort

USAGE SUMMARY

"discomfort" is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to an unpleasant state of uneasiness or feeling of distress. For example, "The bright lights in the auditorium caused a lot of discomfort for the audience."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A series of pamphlets on the attitudes of swing voters in the South of England (the Southern Discomfort series) paved the way for changes both to policy and electoral strategy.

The Guardian

O'Connor has a sharp eye for personal detail: none better than her observation of the discomfort in and around the DUP: Last Friday saw Dr Paisley take up three, perhaps four positions inside 24 hours, none of them gracefully.

The Guardian - Opinion

Yet British discomfort around social class makes it hard to show that respect when discussing education.

The Guardian

It might be that the person shows discomfort from the answering questions [under cross examination] but it might be discomfort from their face being shown.

The Guardian

I had no confidence that I could witness the dentist's wife being pumped full of chemicals without a degree of discomfort and, perhaps, nightmares.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Episode six opens with the horrific image of Omar's boyfriend Brandon, his face and body sickeningly mutilated, stretched out across the bonnet of a car, to Wallace and – to a lesser extent – D'Angelo's evident discomfort.

The Guardian

Thankfully it was short-lived as Broad, who spent an hour off the field getting the ankle iced, returned to bowl without any apparent discomfort and took a wicket during the final session, knocking out the off stump of the home captain, Jacques Taylor.

The Guardian - Sport

Gregory is in good spirits, enjoying life and free from any discomfort – at least that is the case until we discuss Saturday's FA Cup final between Arsenal and Aston Villa and, in the same breath, row back to the last time when the Midlands club were in this position.

The Guardian - Sport

If we go looking for connection, we'll run smack into all the things we like to avoid: discomfort, rejection, sheer social awkwardness.

The Guardian - Opinion

In a bid to maximise Labour discomfort, the Conservatives released a dossier highlighting "the dishonest claims" made by Labour ministers that they had been neutral about his release.

The Guardian

The feelings of discomfort sitting next to someone looking at Page 3. The comments and cat calls.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about physical sensations, be specific about the type and location of the "discomfort". For emotional contexts, consider the intensity and source of the feeling.

Common error

In academic or professional writing, avoid overusing "discomfort" as it can sometimes sound vague. Opt for more precise terms like "unease", "irritation", or "distress" depending on the specific context to convey the intended meaning with greater clarity.

Linguistic Context

The word "discomfort" primarily functions as a noun, denoting a state of unease, distress, or mild pain, as evidenced by Ludwig's examples, like "British discomfort around social class" or "physical discomfort and exhaustion". Ludwig AI confirms the correct and usable nature of the word.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Sport

10%

Lifestyle

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Film

5%

Books

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "discomfort" is a versatile term used to describe a range of unpleasant sensations, both physical and emotional. Ludwig AI validates its proper usage in English. It's highly prevalent in news and media, indicating its relevance in describing diverse situations. When using the word, consider the specific context and choose synonyms like "unease" or "distress" for greater precision. Remember to avoid overuse in formal writing and to be specific when describing the nature of the "discomfort".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unease

This term suggests a feeling of anxiety or restlessness, often less physical than "discomfort".

uneasiness

Similar to "unease", but can also imply a sense of apprehension about something that might happen.

distress

This word implies a more significant level of suffering, whether emotional or physical, compared to general "discomfort".

suffering

Signifies a state of enduring pain, hardship, or distress.

irritation

This term often refers to a minor level of annoyance or physical discomfort.

affliction

This refers to something that causes pain or suffering.

malaise

This suggests a general feeling of illness or unease whose exact cause is difficult to identify.

annoyance

This refers to the state of being irritated or bothered, often by something specific.

hardship

This term refers to difficult conditions or circumstances.

soreness

Specifically refers to physical pain or aching, related to muscles or body parts.

FAQs

How can I use "discomfort" in a sentence?

You can use "discomfort" to describe both physical and emotional states. For example, "I felt a sharp discomfort in my knee" or "She expressed her discomfort with the new policy".

What are some synonyms for "discomfort"?

Some synonyms for "discomfort" include "unease", "irritation", "distress", and "malaise". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "a discomfort" or just "discomfort"?

"Discomfort" is typically used as an uncountable noun, so it's more common to say "discomfort" rather than "a discomfort". However, "a discomfort" can be used to refer to a specific instance or type of discomfort.

What's the difference between "discomfort" and "pain"?

"Discomfort" generally refers to a mild to moderate unpleasant feeling, while "pain" implies a more intense and often acute sensation. "Discomfort" can be emotional or physical, whereas "pain" is usually physical.