disappoint

verb

dis·​ap·​point ˌdis-ə-ˈpȯint 

disappointed; disappointing; disappoints

transitive verb

: to fail to meet the expectation or hope of : frustrate

The team disappointed its fans.

He disappointed his parents with his decision.

intransitive verb

: to fail to meet a hope or expectation : to cause disappointment

… where the show disappoints most is in the work of the younger generation.

—John Ashbery

Synonyms of disappoint

• fail
• cheat
• displease
• upset

Examples of disappoint in a Sentence

The team disappointed its fans.

The show may disappoint some viewers.

The novel disappoints by being predictable and overly long.

Recent Examples on the Web

Thanksgiving never, ever disappoints. —Jacob Lev, CNN Money, 28 Nov. 2025

At this price, you won't be disappointed with the Lego Star Wars Acclamator-Class Assault Ship. —Chris McMullen, Space.com, 27 Nov. 2025

Some were happy the Red Sox found a way to acquire a pitcher of Gray’s caliber at a relatively low price, while others were disappointed the Red Sox didn’t aim higher. —Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 26 Nov. 2025

This season, the Dodgers never settled on a true closer, and wound up using Roki Sasaki, who disappointed as a starter, in the ninth-inning role in the playoffs. —Jackson Roberts, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English disapointen to dispossess, from Middle French desapointer, from des- dis- + appointer to arrange — more at appoint

First Known Use

circa 1513, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Rhymes for disappoint

• counterpoint
• multipoint
• needlepoint
• reappoint
• adjoint
• anoint
• appoint
• checkpoint
• conjoint
• disjoint
• endpoint
• gunpoint

Kids Definition

disappoint

verb

dis·​ap·​point ˌdis-ə-ˈpȯint 

: to fail to meet the expectation or hope of

the team disappointed its fans