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 Ghostbusters was indeed a financial disappointment; the movie lost millions of dollars, killing a potential franchise in its cradle. — Hillary Busis, Vanity Fair, 19 July 2026 Despite the disappointment of the loss, the World Cup felt like a triumphant win for this host city. — Meredith Nierman, NPR, 17 July 2026 On the other hand, Zirconium Oxide (ZrO₂) was the disappointment. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 17 July 2026 Whether that’s a single-stock anomaly or a signal that the market has quietly repriced its tolerance for earnings disappointment across the sector is the question the rest of earnings season will start to answer. — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 15 July 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 is why there has been such a deluge of anger and frustration from the public, even more than from the tournament exits under Southgate.
    — Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 19 July 2026
  • In a Thursday episode of The Ben Shapiro Show, Shapiro hit Vance particularly over his comments on the latter topic and his views on Americans’ frustration with the country’s economic system over the past few decades.
    — Molly Parks, The Washington Examiner, 17 July 2026
Definition of frustration
Noun
  • So why did both earlier this week seem – well, not a letdown, but not what we’re used to?
    — Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 17 July 2026
  • The French surely will consider Saturday’s consolation match a massive letdown.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 16 July 2026
Definition of letdown
Noun
  • The historic theater went dark during the pandemic and, to the dismay of Angelenos, remained permanently closed after its owners Pacific Theatres, which includes Arclight Cinemas, filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in 2021.
    — Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 22 July 2026
  • This causes significant dismay among her upper-caste and strictly vegetarian Marwari Hindu family, which calls in a local doctor, and then his wife, the psychologist Shoma Bose.
    — Robert Rubsam, The Atlantic, 20 July 2026
Definition of dismay
Noun
  • This fight carries immense stakes, with the loser potentially facing a significant setback in their career.
    — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 24 July 2026
  • From there on out, every story beat will be familiar to anyone who’s ever seen a come-from-behind underdog loser redemption movie.
    — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 21 July 2026
Definition of loser
Noun
  • Researchers and psychologists agree that this feeling can fuel anxiety, dissatisfaction, and a constant need to stay connected, for fear of missing an opportunity, an event, or an experience.
    — Ana Morales, Vogue, 11 July 2026
  • Van Buren, a Democrat, perhaps sensing the electorate’s dissatisfaction with him amid difficult economic times, had a plan to paint Harrison’s Whig Party as politically corrupt.
    — Tracy Grant, Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 July 2026
Definition of dissatisfaction
Noun
  • Given Zidane won the Champions League in three successive years as coach of Real Madrid, anything less than victory at the European Championship in 2028 will be considered a failure.
    — James Horncastle, New York Times, 19 July 2026
  • At the time he was arrested, authorities had issued a separate warrant for Milton stemming from his failure to appear in court and alleged curfew violations in a retail theft case, court records show.
    — Dan Petrella, Chicago Tribune, 18 July 2026
Definition of failure
Noun
  • Each new body part is tinged with a bit of pleasure, pushing up against the edges of my sadness and embracing it chummily.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 July 2026
  • The Hole Truth And Nothing Butt, telling the story of these Texan wildmen and their real-life moments of brilliance and hilarity, with revelations of profound sadness.
    — Steve Appleford, SPIN, 20 July 2026
Definition of sadness
Noun
  • Back-to-school shopping season is already here, and with the bummer of summer slipping away, the bright side is that there are plenty of sales and savings to be had out there.
    — Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 22 July 2026
  • The last time there was such a bummer of a final, was the last time the final was played in America, at the Rose Bowl in 1994.
    — Filip Bondy, New York Daily News, 19 July 2026
Definition of bummer

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disappointment
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Cite this Entry

“Disappointment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disappointment. Accessed 26 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of disappointment for Spanish Speakers

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