Descontentar

Descontentar is a Spanish verb meaning to cause discontent or dissatisfaction in someone, or to disappoint. It is transitive and takes a person or group as the indirect object (descontentar a alguien) when referring to provoking unhappiness or discontent with a situation.

Etymology and usage notes: the word combines des- (a prefix indicating reversal or negation) with contentar (to satisfy or please). The action is generally aimed at people or groups and is used in formal, literary, or journalistic contexts. In everyday speech, speakers more often use desagradar or decepcionar to convey a similar idea. The reflexive form descontentarse exists but is less common and means to become dissatisfied or disappointed oneself.

Conjugation and forms: descontentar is a regular -ar verb. In the present indicative it forms as yo descontento, tú descontentas, él descontenta; nosotros descontentamos, vosotros descontentáis, ellos descontentan. Other standard forms follow the regular pattern: imperfect descontentaba, descontentabas, descontentaba; preterite descontenté, descontentaste, descontentó, descontentamos, descontentasteis, descontentaron. The participle is descontentado and the gerund is descontentando. The verb can also appear in passive or causative constructions with en torno a descontentar a alguien, depending on syntax.

Examples: “La demora descontentó a los clientes.” “La promesa incumplida descontentó a la audiencia.” Descontentar se distingue de descontentarse, que describe el estado de insatisfacción de quien experimenta el disgusto.

See also: contentar, desagradar, decepcionar, insatisfecho.