1 disappoint | Definition of disappoint

disappoint

verb
dis·​ap·​point | \ ËŒdis-É™-ˈpȯint How to pronounce disappoint (audio) \
disappointed; disappointing; disappoints

Definition of disappoint

transitive verb

: to fail to meet the expectation or hope of : frustrate the team disappointed its fans He disappointed his parents with his decision.

intransitive verb

: to fail to meet a hope or expectation : to cause disappointment where the show disappoints most is in the work of the younger generation— John Ashbery

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Synonyms & Antonyms for disappoint

Synonyms

cheat, dissatisfy, fail, let down

Antonyms

content, gratify, satisfy

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Examples of disappoint in a Sentence

The team disappointed its fans. The show may disappoint some viewers. The novel disappoints by being predictable and overly long.
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Recent Examples on the Web

So as per the bill, Johnson will have to ask for the third delay to Brexit -- a move sure to disappoint hardline Brexit supporters. Tara John, CNN, "What just happened in British politics and what comes next?," 5 Sep. 2019 The Cards earned the right Monday night to be disappointed by the result. Gentry Estes, The Courier-Journal, "Instant Analysis: Lots for Louisville to like vs. Notre Dame — except the result," 2 Sep. 2019 That’s bound to disappoint some Disney fans, who traveled to the state for the opening weekend of the Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge attraction. Chris Morris, Fortune, "Dorian Is Now a Major Hurricane—And It’s Roaring Towards Florida," 30 Aug. 2019 Goalkeeper & Defenders - Sorry to disappoint his doubters, but Jordan Pickford is not going to be dropped. SI.com, "How England Should Line Up at the 2020 European Championships if They Want Goals, Goals & More Goals," 30 Aug. 2019 Anyone hoping for something fresh and different in a visiting troupe — something revelatory or challenging, even a cultural clash — was bound to be disappointed. Brian Seibert, New York Times, "What’s Chinese About Chinese Ballet?," 27 Aug. 2019 It’s hard to live up to a title like On Becoming a God in Central Florida—and at first the new Showtime dramedy seems doomed to disappoint. Judy Berman, Time, "On Becoming a God in Central Florida," 20 Aug. 2019 Allen's attorney, Maureen Holland, said she was disappointed in the bishop's finding. The Washington Post, al, "Tennessee church won’t hire black maid because of priest’s ‘kinda racist’ dog," 19 Aug. 2019 Jackie, as her followers know, is never one to disappoint her fans. Emily Dixon, Marie Claire, "Which Perfume Does Rihanna Wear? The Internet Has the Answer," 26 July 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'disappoint.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of disappoint

circa 1513, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

History and Etymology for disappoint

Middle English disapointen to dispossess, from Middle French desapointer, from des- dis- + appointer to arrange — more at appoint

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More Definitions for disappoint

disappoint

verb

English Language Learners Definition of disappoint

: to make (someone) unhappy by not being as good as expected or by not doing something that was hoped for or expected

disappoint

verb
dis·​ap·​point | \ ËŒdi-sÉ™-ˈpȯint How to pronounce disappoint (audio) \
disappointed; disappointing

Kids Definition of disappoint

: to fail to satisfy the hope or expectation of The team disappointed its fans.

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