disappoint
Americanverb (used with object)
-
to fail to fulfill the expectations or wishes of.
His gross ingratitude disappointed us.
- Synonyms:
- disenchant, dishearten, disillusion, sadden
-
to defeat the fulfillment of (hopes, plans, etc.); thwart; frustrate.
to be disappointed in love.
verb (used without object)
verb
-
to fail to meet the expectations, hopes, desires, or standards of; let down
-
to prevent the fulfilment of (a plan, intention, etc); frustrate; thwart
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
disappointsimple
-
disappointssimple
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have disappointedperfect
-
has disappointedperfect
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am disappointingprogressive
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are disappointingprogressive
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is disappointingprogressive
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have been disappointingperfect progressive
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has been disappointingperfect progressive
Past
-
disappointedsimple
-
had disappointedperfect
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was disappointingprogressive
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were disappointingprogressive
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had been disappointingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of disappoint
First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English word from Middle French word desappointer. See dis- 1, appoint
Explanation
When you fail to meet people's expectations, you disappoint them. You can also disappoint yourself or find that things let you down, like a rainy trip to the beach that disappoints you. The word disappoint comes from the Middle French word desappointer, which meant "dispossess of appointed office," in the 14th century. Today, disappoint can apply to anyone or anything that does not achieve the expected results — and ways to express that we are disappointed go beyond firing people or kicking them out of office. For example, if you buy a product that disappoints, you won't buy it again.
Vocabulary lists containing disappoint
Commonly Misspelled Words, List 4
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"The Fun They Had"
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Shiloh
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
The name-dropping is relentless and if, like me, you have an insatiable appetite for hoovering them up, this volume will not disappoint.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 27, 2026
Burnham has long been unusual as a politician - a leader who has managed to be popular in a time when politicians often disappoint and are sometimes despised.
From BBC ● Jul. 27, 2026
The final decision may disappoint you, but that does not mean your father acted out of line.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 6, 2026
And though the investment may disappoint, it’s a critical reminder that studios, even independent ones, will always prioritize their bottom line over the consumer’s interest.
From Salon ● Jun. 23, 2026
I won’t be disappointed if I come there, and I won’t disappoint.
From "Geeks: How Two Lost Boys Rode the Internet Out of Idaho" by Jon Katz
If AI breakthroughs reduce computing needs, or if AI adoption disappoints the high hopes of investors, it’s terrible.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 19, 2026
The stock’s run up this year could position it for a steeper decline if Target’s guidance disappoints, though its relatively discounted valuation may limit the downside risk, some analysts say.
From Barron's ● Mar. 2, 2026
"I wouldn't want to be a baker who disappoints her, but I can see her being very encouraging at the same time."
From BBC ● Feb. 14, 2026
Even if it disappoints some people, it’s the more important message to put out into the world.
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 25, 2025
I don’t know why, but his reaction disappoints me.
From "Allegiant" by Veronica Roth
Quintero’s lawyer, Cameron Talley, said he respected the verdict even if he was disappointed by it.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 28, 2026
"I don't think they'd want to have me disappointed."
From Barron's ● Jul. 24, 2026
Men aren’t the only ones disappointed in the president’s performance.
From Slate ● Jul. 23, 2026
"Rebekah is hugely disappointed with Lloyd's conduct over the course of this investigation, the nature and length of which have caused her unnecessary stress and significant reputational damage relative to its 'findings'," Clement's lawyer added.
From BBC ● Jul. 22, 2026
If this is what the earthquakes had been leading to, well, everyone was a bit disappointed.
From "Mountain of Fire" by Rebecca E. F. Barone
"Coming back from the vault was disappointing but I was super proud for Ab," said Emily.
From BBC ● Jul. 27, 2026
“So obviously that’s disappointing because you throw a bullpen to continue to build up. So that was disappointing. But as far as worry, concern, we don’t have any of that.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 25, 2026
"As the eyes of the world fall on Glasgow with the Commonwealth Games and the city welcomes people from all over the globe, is disappointing that people are choosing to spread division."
From BBC ● Jul. 25, 2026
In the second quarter, IBM failed to close “tens of deals,” which led to the disappointing results, James Kavanaugh, IBM’s chief financial officer, said in an interview with The Wall Street Journal.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 22, 2026
This was a disappointing beginning—he seemed completely convinced of Walter’s guilt.
From "Just Mercy" by Bryan Stevenson
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
