disgruntle

verb

dis·​grun·​tle dis-ˈgrən-tᵊl 

disgruntled; disgruntling dis-ˈgrənt-liŋ 

-ˈgrən-tᵊl-iŋ

transitive verb

: to make ill-humored or discontented

—usually used as a participial adjective

… they were a very disgruntled crew.

—Flannery O'Connor

angry letters from disgruntled readers

disgruntlement

dis-ˈgrən-tᵊl-mənt 

noun

Synonyms of disgruntle

• anger
• infuriate
• outrage
• alienate
• sour
• estrange
• alien
• enrage

Examples of disgruntle in a Sentence

an employee, disgruntled by the restaurant owner's shabby treatment, turned him in to the IRS

a crew disgruntled by a long voyage that provided no opportunity for recreation onshore

Recent Examples on the Web

But voters this year are disgruntled about inflation and the war in Iran. — Arkansas Online, 4 Oct. 2026

Republicans secured wins in the larger metro area, but this year, the party is vulnerable with voters who are disgruntled about inflation, the Iran war and a president who seems unsympathetic to their struggles. — ABC News, 3 Oct. 2026

The episode began with Dennis and Dee disgruntled over Frank’s demands, resolving to quit their jobs at Paddy’s Pub. — Dennis Perkins, Entertainment Weekly, 28 July 2026

There are numerous rivals trying to lure VMware customers left disgruntled by Broadcom’s takeover. — Scharon Harding, ArsTechnica, 15 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

dis- + gruntle to grumble, from Middle English gruntlen, frequentative of grunten to grunt

First Known Use

1682, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for disgruntle

• frontal
• orbitofrontal
• prefrontal

Kids Definition

disgruntle

verb

dis·​grun·​tle dis-ˈgrənt-ᵊl 

disgruntled; disgruntling -ˈgrənt-liŋ 

-ᵊl-iŋ

: to put in a bad mood

disgruntlement

-ᵊl-mənt 

noun