: disquietude or distress of mind caused by humiliation, disappointment, or failure
chagrined
shə-ˈgrind 
British usually ˈsha-grind
; chagrining
shə-ˈgri-niŋ
British usually ˈsha-gri-niŋ
: to vex or unsettle by disappointing or humiliating
he was chagrined to learn that his help was not needed
Did you know?
Chagrin comes from French, in which it means "grief," "sorrow," or essentially the same thing as English's chagrin, and in which it is also an adjective meaning "sad."
Examples of chagrin in a Sentence
Noun
As many a woman has learned to her chagrin, pathological liars are brilliant at deception.
—
Katha Pollitt, Nation, 16 June 2003
In World War I, to his chagrin, Eisenhower again found himself on the sidelines, performing training duties stateside while Pershing, MacArthur, and Patton earned their battle ribbons.
—U.S. News & World Report, 16 Mar. 1998
In 1628, to the chagrin of Governor William Bradford, the Pilgrims erected an 80-foot Maypole, danced around it, drank beer, and sang.
—E. C. Krupp, Sky & Telescope, May 1994
Imagine my chagrin when a whiz kid from Dayton made all A's in the first quarter while I made two B's and a C+.
—John Hope Franklin, Race and History, 1989
The fact that he'd been unable to attend the funeral was a source of chagrin for Ted.
She had gained five pounds over the winter, much to her chagrin.
He decided to get a tattoo, to the chagrin of his parents.
Katha Pollitt, Nation, 16 June 2003
In World War I, to his chagrin, Eisenhower again found himself on the sidelines, performing training duties stateside while Pershing, MacArthur, and Patton earned their battle ribbons.
—U.S. News & World Report, 16 Mar. 1998
In 1628, to the chagrin of Governor William Bradford, the Pilgrims erected an 80-foot Maypole, danced around it, drank beer, and sang.
—E. C. Krupp, Sky & Telescope, May 1994
Imagine my chagrin when a whiz kid from Dayton made all A's in the first quarter while I made two B's and a C+.
—John Hope Franklin, Race and History, 1989
The fact that he'd been unable to attend the funeral was a source of chagrin for Ted.
She had gained five pounds over the winter, much to her chagrin.
He decided to get a tattoo, to the chagrin of his parents.
Recent Examples on the Web
Dan Ewen, Deadline, 18 Apr. 2025
Though different in their design and neighborhoods, the city of San Diego is calling for a sidewalk and curb-and-gutter system to be built as part of both projects — to the chagrin of the architects.
—Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Apr. 2025
Katie Walsh, Boston Herald, 30 Jan. 2025
The government, appropriately chagrined, errs no more.
—James S. Burling, National Review, 23 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for chagrin
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Noun
The huddle proceeded to run four hours, much to the chagrin of three handbag influencers waiting for a table.
—Dan Ewen, Deadline, 18 Apr. 2025
Though different in their design and neighborhoods, the city of San Diego is calling for a sidewalk and curb-and-gutter system to be built as part of both projects — to the chagrin of the architects.
—Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Apr. 2025
Verb
Dog Man’s success chagrins his boss, Chief (Li’l Rel Howery), and delights the local TV reporter Sarah Hatoff (Isla Fisher).
—Katie Walsh, Boston Herald, 30 Jan. 2025
The government, appropriately chagrined, errs no more.
—James S. Burling, National Review, 23 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for chagrin
Cite this Entry
“Chagrin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chagrin. Accessed 7 May. 2025.
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