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

• 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

The Dolomites are truly the star of the show here, and the sweeping views do not disappoint. —Hannah Freedman, Travel + Leisure, 13 July 2025

And for those who want to double down on deals, the Under $50 offerings don't disappoint thanks to a vast assortment of sets. —Jackie Fields, People.com, 12 July 2025

The American Century Championship is one of the most entertaining golf events of the year, and day one did not disappoint, as Charles Barkley and Steph Curry put on a show. —Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 July 2025

Right-hander Jeremy Bonderman didn’t disappoint in the Tigers’ 8-3 rout, in front of 43,126 fans. —Ryan Ford, Freep.com, 11 July 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