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
  • Such incidents created frustration among Old Sacramento business owners at the time, according to previous Bee reports, referencing gun violence.
    — Corey Schmidt, Sacbee.com, 26 July 2026
  • The suspension stemmed in part from Liang’s frustration over online reports about his comments to investors during his first financing deal, which closed in June and raised $7 billion for the AI lab, the people said.
    — Haze Fan, Fortune, 25 July 2026
Definition of frustration
Noun
  • This iconic juice has a huge pineapple aroma and flavor, but the container is a serious letdown.
    — Jolene Thym, Mercury News, 20 July 2026
  • 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
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
  • About 75% of persistent pain sufferers reported dissatisfaction with their current relief options, according to Kenvue's March 2026 survey of more than 6,200 people.
    — Ken Alltucker, USA Today, 24 July 2026
  • The Flamingo Revolution reflects dissatisfaction with Albania’s democratic institutions 35 years after the fall of Communism.
    — Isaac Stanley-Becker, The Atlantic, 23 July 2026
Definition of dissatisfaction
Noun
  • The letter argues that openness prevents lock-in and that concentrating capability creates single points of failure.
    — Sandy Carter, Forbes.com, 26 July 2026
  • For Luis Javier Santos, the former head of UFERCO who investigated the case against Hernández, the former leader’s return represents a failure to prosecute him for his crimes, rather than a chance for justice.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 26 July 2026
Definition of failure
Noun
  • Out of sadness, but also out of hope and beauty and the belief that what was missing might eventually be found.
    — Thao Thai, PEOPLE, 25 July 2026
  • Corey Ruiz's mother, daughter, partner and siblings joined attorney Ben Crump, expressing their sadness and frustration about his death.
    — Ivan Pereira, ABC News, 24 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 29 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on disappointment

Nglish: Translation of disappointment for Spanish Speakers

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