disappoint

verb

dis·​ap·​point ˌdis-ə-ˈpȯint How to pronounce disappoint (audio)
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 generationJohn Ashbery

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 They would be disappointed if their offense, which stagnated in the second half after a hot start, isn’t more efficient in 2023. Childs Walker, Baltimore Sun, 8 Sep. 2023 As expected, the duo did not disappoint at all with the visuals — colorful cutout bodysuits, towering heels in all colors of the rainbow, massive feather headpieces, and inches and inches of hair. Gabi Thorne, Allure, 8 Sep. 2023 While India was disappointed that Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin declined to attend the G20, those absences could give Biden the space to further stitch together U.S. and India ties. Aamer Madhani and Josh Boak, BostonGlobe.com, 8 Sep. 2023 Pound cake coated in praline sauce, bread pudding drizzled in caramel, and apple pie baked in a buttery, flaky cornmeal crust–these best fall desserts will not disappoint. Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 7 Sep. 2023 Those who perennially hope for a smaller Corvette will be disappointed, but there's no question that the CS uses its bulk well. Csaba Csere, Car and Driver, 7 Sep. 2023 Garcia didn’t disappoint in her custom Victoria’s Secret look, which consisted of a sheer black minidress with a corseted bodice and full skirt. Christian Allaire, Vogue, 7 Sep. 2023 World & Nation Some Indigenous people in Taiwan want to drop their Chinese names: ‘That history has nothing to do with mine’ May 2, 2023 Homemaker Wang Chen-wei said she has been disappointed after voting for the DPP in past elections. Stephanie Yang, Los Angeles Times, 7 Sep. 2023 And for fans who want some classic Stones' music, they won't be disappointed by the single's classic guitar riffs and catchy vocals. Nicole Fallert, USA TODAY, 6 Sep. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'disappoint.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of disappoint was circa 1513

Dictionary Entries Near disappoint

Cite this Entry

“Disappoint.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disappoint. Accessed 21 Sep. 2023.

Kids Definition

disappoint

verb
dis·​ap·​point ˌdis-ə-ˈpȯint How to pronounce disappoint (audio)
: to fail to meet the expectation or hope of
the team disappointed its fans

More from Merriam-Webster on disappoint

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