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

Some of Washington's ideas are also likely to displease Moscow. —Elizabeth Piper, USA Today, 24 Apr. 2025

The case follows a pattern of such behavior by certain elements displeased by the President Trump administration and the work of his billionaire advisor Elon Musk, the owner of the automaker Tesla. —Flint McColgan, Boston Herald, 18 Apr. 2025

Has anyone been displeased upon receiving a new pajama set? —Sarah Madaus, Architectural Digest, 17 Apr. 2025

Federal money makes up around 10 percent of funding for public schools, with some variation based on need, and, at the collegiate level, Trump has quickly targeted the finances of schools that displease him. —Lexi Lonas Cochran, The Hill, 12 Apr. 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