What's the Difference Between 'Dissatisfied' and 'Unsatisfied'?

In this blog post we look at when to use dissatisfied and when to use unsatisfied.

'Dissatisfied' or 'Unsatisfied'?

"Dissatisfied" and "unsatisfied" both refer to a state of being unhappy or discontent with something. However, there is a subtle difference in the connotations of these two words.

"Dissatisfied" suggests that someone has specific complaints or criticisms about something and is not happy with it as a result.

For example, "The customer was dissatisfied with the service at the restaurant and left a dissatisfied review."

"Unsatisfied," on the other hand, suggests a general sense of disappointment or lack of fulfillment.

For example, "The student was unsatisfied with her grades and decided to study harder."

In general, "dissatisfied" suggests a more specific or focused feeling of discontent, while "unsatisfied" suggests a more general or broad feeling of disappointment.

Here are some examples to illustrate the difference between "dissatisfied" and "unsatisfied":

  1. The employee was dissatisfied with the company's policies and decided to look for a new job. (implies that the employee had specific complaints or criticisms about the policies)

  2. The traveler was unsatisfied with the accommodations at the hotel and asked to be moved to a different room. (implies a general sense of disappointment or lack of fulfillment)

  3. The customer was frustrated with the quality of the product and demanded a refund. (implies that the customer had specific complaints or criticisms about the product)

  4. The student was unsatisfied with the curriculum and transferred to a different school. (implies a general sense of disappointment or lack of fulfillment)

Examples of Dissatisfied in a Sentence

  1. The customer was dissatisfied with the service at the restaurant and left a dissatisfied review.

  2. The employee was dissatisfied with the company's policies and decided to look for a new job.

  3. The traveler was dissatisfied with the accommodations at the hotel and asked to be moved to a different room.

  4. The student was dissatisfied with the curriculum and transferred to a different school.

  5. The customer was dissatisfied with the quality of the product and demanded a refund.

  6. The employee was dissatisfied with the lack of advancement opportunities at the company.

  7. The traveler was dissatisfied with the long wait times at the airport.

  8. The student was dissatisfied with the difficulty of the course and decided to drop it.

  9. The customer was dissatisfied with the slow service at the store and decided not to return.

  10. The employee was dissatisfied with the management's decision-making process and resigned.

Examples of Unsatisfied in a Sentence

Here are 10 example sentences using the word "unsatisfied":

  1. The student was unsatisfied with her grades and decided to study harder.

  2. The traveler was unsatisfied with the food at the restaurant and asked for a different dish.

  3. The customer was unsatisfied with the service at the hotel and complained to the manager.

  4. The employee was unsatisfied with the salary and benefits at the company and negotiated for a raise.

  5. The student was unsatisfied with the teaching style of the professor and asked for a different instructor.

  6. The traveler was unsatisfied with the room at the hotel and requested a different one.

  7. The customer was unsatisfied with the quality of the product and returned it for a refund.

  8. The employee was unsatisfied with the work environment and requested a transfer to a different department.

  9. The student was unsatisfied with the course offerings at the school and transferred to a different institution.

  10. The traveler was unsatisfied with the transportation arrangements and made alternative plans.


Dissatisfied or Unsatisfied
Dissatisfied or Unsatisfied