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 But for many who saw it — or tried to — in 1986, Halley is remembered as a tremendous disappointment. — Joe Rao, Space.com, 13 Oct. 2026 His later years were plagued by illness, drunkenness, disappointment, and debt. — Yiyun Li, New Yorker, 13 Oct. 2026 This is a personal decision and does not reflect any disappointment with Miami or its coaching staff. — Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 13 Oct. 2026 Asked whether Jonathan Anderson’s designs landing in Dior stores met expectations, Cabanis dismissed any reason for disappointment. — Laure Guilbault, Vogue, 12 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
  • Demonstrators expressed widespread frustration and anger at the government as gasoline, energy and food prices have spiked in recent months.
    — SYLVIE CORBET, Arkansas Online, 18 Oct. 2026
  • That's despite voter frustration over high prices and the Iran war, and his own challenge of leading one of narrowest House majorities in modern times.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of frustration
Noun
  • But this is still a team quarterbacked by Kirk Cousins and due for a letdown, especially in an early-afternoon game multiple time zones over.
    — Dan Zaksheske OutKick, FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 2026
  • For those inexplicably hoping for ParaBros, Skydance seems a bit of a letdown, especially considering all the trouble Ellison went to.
    — Culture Critic, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of letdown
Noun
  • 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
  • Holmes denies having said it, and the remark isn’t on the couple’s own recordings of the interviews in question, but, to their dismay, the article’s editor, after reviewing the journalist’s notes, stands by the reporting.
    — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of dismay
Noun
  • The selling in recent days, however, has intensified on worries about the AI trade, making the likes of Micron among our biggest losers week-to-date and defensives such as Cardinal Health among our biggest weekly winners.
    — Alexa LoMonaco, CNBC, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Progress in the competition awaits the winner, exit for the loser.
    — Lars Brandle, Billboard, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of loser
Noun
  • There’s a difference between formally asking for a trade and making your dissatisfaction known, and Reese had certainly done the latter.
    — Dan Zaksheske OutKick, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Connect each allegation to specific claim activity, not general dissatisfaction.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of dissatisfaction
Noun
  • The question confronting Israel and its international partners is not simply whether money should flow into Gaza, but also who controls it—and whether the next arrangement will avoid the failures of the last.
    — Eric Cortellessa, Time, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Special-teams breakdowns — including a 70-yard kickoff return and two field-goal failures — played a big role in the Rams’ 37-34 overtime loss to Buffalo.
    — Gary Klein, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of failure
Noun
  • There was a moment this week when tears of sadness gave way to elation for one California couple.
    — Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026
  • The local journalists who cover the Bend community every day were not immune from the grief and sadness after today’s deadly shooting of children at an elementary school.
    — Phil Helsel, NBC news, 16 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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disappointing
disappointment
disappointments
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Cite this Entry

“Disappointment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disappointment. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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