displease

verb

dis·​please (ˌ)dis-ˈplēz 

displeased; displeasing; displeases

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

Synonyms

• disaffect
• discontent
• disgruntle
• dissatisfy

Examples of displease in a Sentence

her coworkers' tendency to pry displeased her

Recent Examples on the Web

Sabrina Carpenter is breaking her silence on her controversial new album cover that has displeased some fans. —Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 17 June 2025

Combs also had control over her career and displeasing him would cause her financial harm. —Patricia Fersch, Forbes.com, 12 June 2025

The phrase used to be spoken with a whiff of disgust by an older generation displeased with the behavior of young people compared to their own youthful comportment. —Matthew Carey, Deadline, 13 June 2025

This obviously displeases Lorelai, but luckily, Rory has an emotional speech prepared as valedictorian that melts Lorelai’s heart. —Marianne Eloise, Vulture, 11 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for displease

• agrees
• appease
• bailees
• bougies
• burmese
• chemise
• chickpeas
• chinese
• cowpeas
• curies
• decrees
• degrees

Kids Definition

displease

verb

dis·​please (ˈ)dis-ˈplēz 

: to cause to feel disapproval, dislike, or annoyance

was displeased by the delay