disappoint
Americanverb (used with object)
-
disappoints,
present (3rd person singular)
-
disappointed,
past participle, past
-
disappointing
present participle
-
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)
-
disappoints,
present (3rd person singular)
-
disappointed,
past participle, past
-
disappointing
present participle
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
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disappointsimple
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disappointssimple
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have disappointedperfect
-
has disappointedperfect
-
am disappointingprogressive
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are disappointingprogressive
-
is disappointingprogressive
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have been disappointingperfect progressive
-
has been disappointingperfect progressive
Past
-
disappointedsimple
-
had disappointedperfect
-
was disappointingprogressive
-
were disappointingprogressive
-
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:
Roblox stock is handed two Sell ratings after second-quarter earnings disappoint and guidance shows a worrying trend.
From Barron's ● Jul. 31, 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 lack of upward movement is likely to disappoint Wall Street, Zafar says, given the company’s long history of beating and raising expectations.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 17, 2026
If free cash flow improvements disappoint, capital expenditures and the depreciation that comes with them will still “hit on schedule” and squeeze margins, Slok added.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 9, 2026
He was afraid she would stop coming, that he would disappoint her—or even worse, bore her.
From "Breadcrumbs" by Anne Ursu
He warns that if the AI boom disappoints after activity is pulled forward, it could result in an overheated economy and stagflation.
From Barron's ● May 9, 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
History teases at a third possibility: Warsh succeeds as chair and still disappoints Trump.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 7, 2026
And it’s so deeply painful because whatever you write inevitably disappoints you and makes you feel depressed.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 25, 2025
I don’t know why, but his reaction disappoints me.
From "Allegiant" by Veronica Roth
"They said they would give us something, but there's no proof. So honestly, we're a bit upset, disappointed."
From Barron's ● Aug. 17, 2026
“I’m disappointed AB 1382 did not move forward, but I am not done fighting for these animals. The technology that makes ‘designer pets’ possible isn’t going away, and neither am I.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 14, 2026
"I'm disappointed to have a bronze but I think 10 years after my first medal, it is such an achievement to be in a place to come back year after year," Asher-Smith said.
From BBC ● Aug. 13, 2026
Instead, the pair had fun shopping and took a scenic boat tour in nearby Winter Park, Fla. Wales was somewhat disappointed by the motel-like resort they were assigned, but added, “it wasn’t the worst place.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 13, 2026
Jeb had irritated me some over the last few days, but I was disappointed to find the place was deserted.
From "The Seven Wonders of Sassafras Springs" by Betty G. Birney
“It’s disappointing in that regard, to feel disrespected a little bit.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 15, 2026
Poland's Sulek-Schubert dropped to seventh after a disappointing start to Saturday.
From BBC ● Aug. 15, 2026
They are looking to bounce back from a disappointing fifth place finish in the top-flight last season.
From Barron's ● Aug. 14, 2026
It has bulldozed its way through tariffs, war, higher oil prices and disappointing GDP to rise 13% so far this year.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 13, 2026
I’m scared enough of Mom, and of disappointing her more, that I manage to stay awake in most of my classes for the rest of the week.
From "Sparrow" by Sarah Moon
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.
