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

Middleton said he was disappointed that Carreno and Melear, who lost to José Antonio Rodriguez, would not be joining him on the district board. — Beth Kassab, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 Nov. 2026

MacBooks have long been known for strong battery life, and the 16-inch model with PROLED XDR doesn't disappoint here either. — Joe Osborne, PC Magazine, 5 Nov. 2026

With various priorities, Kennedy and MAHA leaders have spent the past two years finding ways to disappoint their members. — Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 5 Nov. 2026

Earnings of 11 cents a share disappointed the LSEG consensus estimate for 12 cents. — Sarah Min, CNBC, 5 Nov. 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