displeasure
Americannoun
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dissatisfaction, disapproval, or annoyance.
- Synonyms:
- vexation, indignation, dislike, distaste
- Antonyms:
- pleasure
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discomfort, uneasiness, or pain.
-
Archaic. a cause of offense, annoyance, or injury.
verb (used with object)
noun
-
the condition of being displeased
-
archaic
-
pain
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an act or cause of offence
-
verb
Synonym Usage
See dissatisfaction.
Other Word Forms
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.
Vocabulary lists containing displeasure
The Sound and the Fury: Synonyms for "Anger"
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Anger (noun)
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Dislike
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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.
The “Whiplash” actor played along with the bit, turning around to face Spider-Man and waving his arms to express his displeasure.
From Los Angeles Times • May 27, 2026
The demonstrators turned their backs on the US consulate building and observed two minutes of silence to express their displeasure with the United States.
From Barron's • May 22, 2026
His happiness is an affront to their own chronic displeasure.
From Salon • May 19, 2026
Mr. Trump’s displeasure with Mr. Cassidy encouraged a third participant into the race, state Treasurer John Fleming, who is polling as well as Ms. Letlow.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 23, 2026
The Dark Lord’s initial displeasure at my lateness vanished entirely, I assure you, when I explained that I remained faithful, although Dumbledore thought I was his man.
From "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" by J.K. Rowling
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.
