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

He would be disappointed to learn of communities where there are no grocery stores within walking distance. —Willie Wilson, Chicago Tribune, 15 Jan. 2026

The Golden Globes, famously known as the wildest show during the awards circuit, didn't disappoint this year. —Brendan Le, PEOPLE, 12 Jan. 2026

Any pro sports fan with half a brain and a functioning soul will tell you that athletes can usually find a way to disappoint you off the court — triply so in the case of team owners and league commissioners. —Tres Dean, Vulture, 12 Jan. 2026

Its stock has risen 90% since November, but fell 20% on Monday following a holiday season for mall brands that disappointed investors. —Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 12 Jan. 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