disappointment

¹ American  

[dis-uh-point-muhnt] / ˌdɪs əˈpɔɪnt mənt /

noun

1. the act or fact of disappointing.

   All of his efforts only led to the disappointment of his supporters.

   Synonyms:

   frustration, defeat, failure

2. the state or feeling of being disappointed.

   Her disappointment was very great when she didn't get the job.

3. a person or thing that disappoints.

   The play was a disappointment.

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Disappointment ² American  

[dis-uh-point-muhnt] / ˌdɪs əˈpɔɪnt mənt /

noun

1. Cape Disappointment, a cape in southwestern Washington State, projecting into the Pacific Ocean on the north of the mouth of the Columbia River.

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disappointment British  

/ ˌdɪsəˈpɔɪntmənt /

noun

1. the act of disappointing or the state of being disappointed

2. a person, thing, or state of affairs that disappoints

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Other Word Forms

• predisappointment noun

Etymology

Origin of disappointment

First recorded in 1605–15; disappoint + -ment

Example Sentences

From his portrait S.P. seems to gaze out in disappointment at rooms that have grown increasingly dilapidated.

From The Wall Street Journal

But none of this comes as a surprise, only a disappointment.

From Salon

It guided for a medium term operating range of between 160% and 190%, which also contributed to the disappointment as expectations are above that range.

From The Wall Street Journal

It was a point of pride for him—never settling on a go-to favorite ice cream, never admitting disappointment if one flavor wasn’t as good as the last one.

From Literature

Walker suffered those disappointments with England but leaves the stage with a track record to be proud of.

From BBC

Related Words

• adversity
• blow
• chagrin
• defeat
• discontent
• disenchantment
• disillusionment
• dissatisfaction
• failure
• frustration
• letdown
• regret
• setback