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

We were disappointed when Meta didn't have more to say on this on its late July earnings call, but the good news is that this option isn't off the table. — Zev Fima, CNBC, 9 Sep. 2026

Fully 18 teams were picked to disappoint, more than half the league. — The Athletic Nfl Staff, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026

The Dodgers signed Díaz to a three-year, $69 million contract to become the team’s closer, but the former New York Mets star has been hampered by injuries and has disappointed when on the mound. — Ryan Canfield Outkick, FOXNews.com, 8 Sep. 2026

You certainly won't be disappointed with this laptop, so don't miss out on this $150 discount. — Cierra Cowan, PC Magazine, 8 Sep. 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