displeasure

American  

[dis-plezh-er] / dɪsˈplɛʒ ər /

noun

1. dissatisfaction, disapproval, or annoyance.

   Synonyms:

   vexation, indignation, dislike, distaste

   Antonyms:

   pleasure

2. discomfort, uneasiness, or pain.

3. Archaic. a cause of offense, annoyance, or injury.

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verb (used with object)

displeasured, displeasuring

1. Archaic. to displease.

displeasure British  

/ dɪsˈplɛʒə /

noun

1. the condition of being displeased

2. archaic

   1. pain

   2. an act or cause of offence

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verb

1. an archaic word for displease

Synonym Usage

See dissatisfaction.

Other Word Forms

• displeasureable
  adjective
• displeasureably
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of displeasure

1400–50; dis- ¹ + pleasure; replacing late Middle English desplaisir < Middle French (noun use of infinitive); see displease

Explanation

Displeasure is a feeling of unhappiness or annoyance. The displeasure on your mom's face will clearly show you how she feels about you letting your pet guinea pigs sleep in her bed. Use the word displeasure when you are irritated by something or sternly disapprove of it. If your uncle hates surprises, an enormous surprise fortieth birthday party might result in displeasure rather than the happy smile you imagined. One way for citizens to express their displeasure with elected officials is to vote against them — another might be staging a protest.

Related Words

• anger
• annoyance
• disapproval
• dislike
• dissatisfaction
• distaste
• indignation
• irritation
• pique
• resentment
• umbrage
• unhappiness