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

Related Words

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); 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.

Example Sentences

There were some on the terraces who stayed behind to clap the team off, but others showed their displeasure by booing after a meek display left Newcastle 12th in the Premier League.

From BBC • Apr. 9, 2026

“I never signed off on that,” the president told aides in the Oval Office, expressing displeasure with Justice Department leadership.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 13, 2026

But in December, the White House quashed the deal, citing displeasure with the U.K.’s online safety rules, its digital services tax—and, strangely, food safety rules.

From Slate • Feb. 13, 2026

So, given the timing of this precipitous announcement, it is hard to believe that something isn’t also going on with attitudes toward Lincoln and Glass’ displeasure with the Kennedy Center administration.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 3, 2026

The owner cleaned some already clean glasses, clinking them together noisily, and clattered crockery on the counter to convey his displeasure to Margaret Kochamma.

From "The God of Small Things" by Arundhati Roy

Related Words

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