disappointment

noun

ˌdis-ə-ˈpȯint-mənt How to pronounce disappointment (audio)
Definition of disappointmentnext
1
as in frustration
the emotion felt when one's expectations are not met we felt keen disappointment when our offer on the house was rejected

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in letdown
something that disappoints after all the publicity and high expectations, the sequel to the movie blockbuster was a huge disappointment

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of disappointment Marianne Faithfull was among those to later cover it, but the song, much to Parton’s disappointment, never took off. — Stephen L. Betts, Rolling Stone, 25 Aug. 2026 This year, the Sky’s biggest investments were also their greatest disappointments. — Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026 Atwell remains among the biggest disappointments of camp… None of the backup offense tackles has made a convincing case; Caedan Wallace’s first two games have gone poorly. — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 24 Aug. 2026 Grant, the 2025 first-round pick, was a disappointment last season as a rookie. — Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 24 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for disappointment
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disappointment
  1. frustration
  2. letdown
  3. dismay
  4. loser
  5. dissatisfaction
  6. failure
  7. sadness
  8. bummer
Noun
  • That ambiguity is echoed in Banks’ score, which takes on the tone of a lament and a celebration, frustration and hope, struggle and liberation, the quest for transcendence in the face of the challenges posed by daunting inequities.
    — George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Aug. 2026
  • The move follows efforts by Pinterest and LinkedIn to respond to users’ frustrations with AI slop in their feeds.
    — Clare Duffy, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of frustration
Noun
  • Our review highlighted its everyday usability, lightweight design, and overall good value, though this configuration’s measly 128GB of storage is a bit of a letdown.
    — Kelsey Fogarty, PC Magazine, 17 Aug. 2026
  • The scores sealed the game in a matchup that looked over before the letdown.
    — Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of letdown
Noun
  • Despite four of the six miles being built underground, the construction in Norco would be entirely overhead, much to residents' dismay.
    — Joy Benedict, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Giulio, a dissatisfied 16-year-old, drifts through life with no enthusiasm for his education or his future, much to his family’s dismay (particularly his endlessly frustrated mother, brilliantly played by Monica Bellucci).
    — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of dismay
Noun
  • Other than taxpayers, bodega owners stand to be some of the biggest losers if New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani (D) realizes his dream of city-run grocery stores.
    — Editorial Board, Washington Post, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Amid the stresses of the Arctic, scientists are rethinking the idea that all life is a cutthroat competition with winners and losers.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of loser
Noun
  • As popular dissatisfaction with the country’s traditional politicians and political parties grew, many Bolivians began looking to leaders who had emerged from the social movements themselves.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 19 Aug. 2026
  • The Last Frontier State voted for Trump during all three of his presidential runs but Democrats are hoping rising prices and dissatisfaction with his administration could swing more moderate voters in their favor.
    — Emily Chang, ABC News, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of dissatisfaction
Noun
  • The failure by American and Canadian trade negotiators to reach a deal came after nearly two weeks of furious talks.
    — Steve Kopack, NBC news, 22 Aug. 2026
  • Ultimately Keegan’s team fell short, but this was no failure.
    — Michael Walker, New York Times, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of failure
Noun
  • But negative sentiment –— such as expressing frustration or sadness — slightly decreased it.
    — Elise Haulund, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Some say there is a fine line between anguish or sadness — and laughter.
    — Doug Turnbull, AJC.com, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of sadness
Noun
  • Which is a bummer, because this team is — somehow — very, very good.
    — Chris Branch, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026
  • That was one of my biggest takeaways — and bummers — from my conversation with Chris Barker, an epidemiology professor at UC Davis who has studied mosquitoes for almost 30 years, including at his lab.
    — Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of bummer

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disappointing
disappointment
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Cite this Entry

“Disappointment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disappointment. Accessed 28 Aug. 2026.

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