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Glite Dictionary
to disgruntle

to disgruntle

1 8.0
To make someone feel unhappy or annoyed
  • verb
  • /dɪsˈɡrʌntəl/
translation icon : descontentar
  • Disgruntled former relationships of Mr. Genovese?

Examples

  • The long wait for answers left many employees feeling disgruntled with the management.

  • Her constant complaints about the project made him disgruntle the team members.

  • The cut in benefits was sure to disgruntle the workers, leading to a decline in morale.

Synonyms

to upset
vsto disgruntle
362 1.0

Make someone feel sad or worried

causes milder unhappiness or a bad mood rather than deep emotional disturbance
to get (someone) down
vsto disgruntle
  • Informal
87 4.2

To make someone feel sad or discouraged

lowers mood through annoyance or lack of contentment rather than causing sadness
to dismay
vsto disgruntle
37 4.4

Make someone feel shocked or worried by something unexpected

creates a bad mood or irritation rather than sudden shock or distress
to displease
vsto disgruntle
28 4.7

To make someone feel annoyed or unhappy

produces a bad mood without necessarily causing direct irritation
to discontent
vsto disgruntle
3 5.0

To make someone not satisfied with their situation

creates a general bad mood rather than unhappiness tied to one situation
to dissatisfy
vsto disgruntle
1 4.3

To make someone unhappy because something does not meet their needs or wants

creates a general bad mood instead of just a complaint about one thing
to take the jam out of someone's doughnut
vsto disgruntle
  • Informal
9.9

To make someone feel disappointed or upset

brings a general bad mood rather than only ruining a particular enjoyment

Antonyms

to please
216 1.0

To make someone happy or satisfied

to satisfy
172 2.0

Make someone happy by meeting their need or wish

How Displeased

to infuriate
46 5.0
to disgruntle
1 8.0
to upset
362 1.0
to disappoint
492 1.0
to annoy
246 1.0

Surface Forms

disgruntle infinitive
disgruntled past
disgruntled past participle
disgruntling present participle
disgruntles third person singular

Morphology

disgruntle = gruntle (semi-transparent) = dis + gruntle

Formally analyzable as 'dis-' + 'gruntle', but 'gruntle' is rare/archaic and 'dis-' may function idiosyncratically, so learners may not reliably infer the meaning.

Etymology

Disgruntle comes from the small word grunt, the low, angry sound people make when they are unhappy, with the beginning dis- added to show a negative change. So, to disgruntle someone is to put them into that 'grunt' — to make them unhappy or dissatisfied.