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

The Daily Dividend April home sales data from the National Association of Realtors disappointed analysts yesterday, as higher mortgage rates weighed on buyers. —Alex Harring, CNBC, 12 May 2026

Similarly, productions that were disappointed with the nominations – Beaches, Dog Day Afternoon, The Fear of 13 – likely felt the same about the subsequent box office. —Greg Evans, Deadline, 12 May 2026

But anyone hoping for insights on exactly what was said in the readout will be disappointed. —Isa Soares, CNN Money, 12 May 2026

This summer’s bumper crop of crime fiction does not disappoint. —Paula L. Woods, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2026

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