disappointing

1 of 2

adjective

dis·​ap·​point·​ing ˌdis-ə-ˈpȯin-tiŋ 

: failing to meet expectations

a disappointing meal

disappointingly

ˌdis-ə-ˈpȯin-tiŋ-lē 

adverb

disappointing

2 of 2

present participle of disappoint

Examples of disappointing in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The 2027 draft, as disappointing as it’s supposed to be, won’t yield a high pick to the Clippers, no matter what. — Zach Harper, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026

Cheng Xin | Getty Images Shares of Lululemon plunged 20% in premarket trading Friday after the retailer reported another quarter of disappointing results and cut its outlook for the year. — Laya Neelakandan, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2026

Room for Disagreement Markey’s win was disappointing to the small faction of Democrats who think the party must moderate its transgender rights positions. — David Weigel, semafor.com, 2 Sep. 2026

One of the first passenger tires tested turned in a disappointing wet-weather braking result. — Michael Febbo, The Drive, 2 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1530, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for disappointing

• anointing
• appointing
• pinpointing
• jointing
• pointing