displease

verb dis·please \ (ˌ)dis-ˈplēz \

|Updated on: 8 Jul 2018

Examples: displease in a Sentence

Definition of displease

transitive verb

1 : to incur the disapproval or dislike of especially by annoying

their gossip displeases her

2 : to be offensive to

abstract art displeases him

intransitive verb

: to give displeasure

behavior calculated to displease

See displease defined for English-language learners

See displease defined for kids

Examples of displease in a Sentence

her coworkers' tendency to pry displeased her

Recent Examples of displease from the Web

The Lakers owner was surely displeased back in August, when improper communication between general manager Rob Pelinka and the agent for Oklahoma City’s Paul George, Aaron Mintz, led to a $500,000 fine from the NBA for tampering.

— sam amick, USA TODAY, "What the NBA Awards show taught us about LeBron James' free agent future," 26 June 2018
Another is the fortnight-long detention in Riyadh of the Lebanese prime minister, Saad Hariri, a longtime client of Saudi Arabia’s, who displeased the crown prince.

— The Economist, "Insecurity complexGulf states fear being encircled by Iran and abandoned by America," 21 June 2018
Those conditions are set to expire in September, giving Comcast new freedom to run its business or do deals, a situation that displeases regulators and makes them skeptical of any deal that allows Comcast to swell further.

— elizabeth winkler, WSJ, "Comcast’s Big Bid Shouldn’t Distract From Regulatory Risks," 13 June 2018
Commissioners aren't generally popular, and Cowboys fans were displeased with Goodell's suspension of running back Ezekiel Elliott last year.

— pete grathoff, kansascity, "Ryan Shazier walking on the stage was one of NFL Draft's best moments | The Kansas City Star," 27 Apr. 2018
Antigone’ Sophocles’ Greek tragedy of order, honor and the folly of displeasing the gods, as adapted for the modern stage by the Theatrical Mining Company.

— chris kaltenbach, baltimoresun.com, "Balloons, a Broadway star and 'Raiders of the Lost Ark': the best of Baltimore's arts and entertainment scene this week," 6 May 2018
Some gun enthusiasts and apparent NRA members are displeased at the prohibition.

— alex horton, Sun-Sentinel.com, "NRA said guns will be banned during Pence speech. Parkland students see hypocrisy.," 30 Apr. 2018
And, experts say, that gives lawyers reason to push for a fast resolution, skipping thorough investigations or motions that might slow the docket or displease the judge.

— richard a. oppel jr., New York Times, "His Clients Weren’t Complaining. But the Judge Said This Lawyer Worked Too Hard.," 29 Mar. 2018
But left-leaning Pashinyan may be more inclined to forge links with the E.U., a move that would likely displease Putin.

— kate samuelson, Time, "Armenia’s Peaceful Protester Takes Power in a Bloodless Revolution," 8 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'displease.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of displease

Middle English displesen, from Anglo-French despleisir, desplere, from des- dis- + pleisir to please — more at please

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

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displease Synonyms

DISPLEASE Defined for English Language Learners

displease

verb

Definition of displease for English Language Learners

: to make (someone) feel unhappy or annoyed

DISPLEASE Defined for Kids

displease

verb dis·please \ dis-ˈplēz \

Definition of displease for Students

displeased; displeasing

: to cause to feel unhappy or unsatisfied

Learn More about displease

See words that rhyme with displease Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for displease Spanish Central: Translation of displease Nglish: Translation of displease for Spanish speakers

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displease

Definition of displease

Examples of displease in a Sentence

Recent Examples of displease from the Web

Origin and Etymology of displease

displease Synonyms

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DISPLEASE Defined for English Language Learners

displease

Definition of displease for English Language Learners

DISPLEASE Defined for Kids

displease

Definition of displease for Students

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