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

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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 The risk is that at a higher price, there’s no room for disappointment. — Kathryn Hopkins, Footwear News, 20 Oct. 2026 The defense has exceeded expectations and continues to cement itself as a top-20, maybe even a top-15 defense, while the offense remains a disappointment, even after beating the Bears (4-2, 2-1). — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 Oct. 2026 There's a difference between protecting children from harm and protecting them from disappointment. — Jonathan Alpert Outkick, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2026 When the Dashwood sisters are in London, Elinor and Edward are both in shades of blue to reflect the disappointment of their situation. — Mya Copeland, Variety, 17 Oct. 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
  • Burks said much of the frustration is connected to top leaders who provide insufficient training.
    — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Clinton's lack of a majority and list of frustrations in his first term set the stage for a bruising first midterm election in 1994.
    — Ron Elving, NPR, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of frustration
Noun
  • Moderna shares are also up nearly 600% this year due to the cancer shot optimism, creating more potential for a Wall Street letdown.
    — Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Still, the Rams were poised to avoid a major letdown when punter Ethan Evans nailed his first placekick as a pro, giving LA a 16-15 lead in the final minute following Stafford's 6-yard touchdown pass to Colby Parkinson.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of letdown
Noun
  • When news got around that a new movie version of Sense and Sensibility was in the works, cries of dismay rang forth from Bath to Brooklyn.
    — Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 16 Oct. 2026
  • To his dismay, many of the exultant people in cowboy hats, burnt orange T-shirts and other spirit gear appeared to be of South Asian heritage.
    — Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of dismay
Noun
  • The losers will be SpaceX’s current shareholders that give up almost half their company for puny profits and big promises.
    — Shawn Tully, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2026
  • The contract will also usually provide for prevailing-party attorney’s fees, meaning the loser must repay the winner’s attorney’s fees.
    — Gary Singer, Sun Sentinel, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of loser
Noun
  • The nationwide marches were meant to reflect broader dissatisfaction with the French government, with protesters taking to the streets to air a range of different grievances.
    — James Cirrone , Brittany Miller, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Internal dissatisfaction with him forced him out late in 1998.
    — Ron Elving, NPR, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of dissatisfaction
Noun
  • Even if Theranos had a functioning testing machine, the economic model on which is was based would result in failure.
    — Torie Bosch, STAT, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Even among voters who want Republicans to retain control, 17% cited weak AI and data center oversight — second only to a failure to bring down prices.
    — Luke Fountain, CNBC, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of failure
Noun
  • Tsai, the Stanford professor, has conducted research on how emotion in American culture puts value on trying to always feel positive and minimizing negativity and sadness.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Survey findings About 28% of Gaston respondents reported moderate or higher levels of negative emotions such as sadness, anxiety, anger or boredom, compared with roughly 10% in Union, Venkitasubramanian said.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of sadness
Noun
  • Anyway, the only bummer was Toka completely blew out Savu, so a bit of the drama got sapped, which means the purple tribe was facing their first Tribal Council.
    — Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 1 Oct. 2026
  • The early start to this NFL season yielded the earliest bummer.
    — Jerry Brewer, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of bummer

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Cite this Entry

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

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