displease

[ dis-pleez ]

See synonyms for: displease displeased displeasing on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object),dis·pleased, dis·pleas·ing.

to incur the dissatisfaction, dislike, or disapproval of; offend; annoy: His reply displeased the judge.

verb (used without object),dis·pleased, dis·pleas·ing.

to be unpleasant; cause displeasure: Bad weather displeases.

Origin of displease

1300–50; Middle English desplesen<Anglo-French, Middle French desplaisir.See dis-¹, please

Other words from displease

dis·pleas·ing·ly, adverb
dis·pleas·ing·ness, noun
self-dis·pleased, adjective

Words Nearby displease

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use displease in a sentence

Watson recently has requested that the Texans trade him, reportedly displeased that the team didn’t follow through on promises that he would have input in an organizational overhaul this offseason.
Deshaun Watson accused of sexual misconduct in lawsuits stemming from massage sessions; QB issues denial | Mark Maske, Nicki Jhabvala | March 17, 2021 | Washington Post
This will displease only hawks who pray for large-scale U.S. air attacks plus lots of U.S. aid and ground-level advice.
A Winning Strategy for Iraq and Syria | Leslie H. Gelb | June 21, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Davies said he disregarded these orders but did not want to displease a man he respected so much.
CBS Backs Off Benghazi Source | Eli Lake | November 8, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST
Ethel's mode of pleading was unfortunate; the "very foolish of Margaret" were the very words to displease.
The Daisy Chain | Charlotte Yonge
You are an honest man,404 and do not make it your business either to please or displease the favourites.
The 'Characters' of Jean de La Bruyre | Jean de La Bruyre

If I understand you rightly, monsieur, you have decided to rid yourself of persons who annoy you or displease you?
The Seven Cardinal Sins: Envy and Indolence | Eugne Sue
He supped with me; but a cunning, crafty fellow he is, and dangerous to displease, for his tongue spares nobody.
Diary of Samuel Pepys, Complete | Samuel Pepys
For a word, she would flare up into a sudden anger, nor try as he would, could he divine what action of his would displease her.
The Woman Gives | Owen Johnson

British Dictionary definitions for displease

displease

/ (dɪsˈpliːz) /

verb

to annoy, offend, or cause displeasure to (someone)

Derived forms of displease

displeasing, adjective
displeasingly, adverb

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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