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 By the end of the book, Viard’s disappointment gives way to melancholy. — Olivier Bouchara, Vanity Fair, 30 Sep. 2026 Some online fans have interpreted her facial expressions as disappointment upon learning her pair was safe. — Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 30 Sep. 2026 Weug described her disappointment in a heartfelt social media post in August and appealed for teams and sponsors to get in touch. — ABC News, 28 Sep. 2026 Customer experience becomes most visible during friction and disappointment. — Alaa Kamaz, Forbes.com, 28 Sep. 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
  • Players slapped each other’s helmets in frustration while angry voices carried from the sideline.
    — D’Joumbarey Moreau, Miami Herald, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Rubin acknowledged the union’s frustrations in a response to the no-confidence vote, but said there were no funds available to increase overtime.
    — Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of frustration
Noun
  • 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
  • Braves third baseman Austin Riley, maddened by a campaign littered with letdowns, got his rewrite.
    — Gabriel Burns, AJC.com, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of letdown
Noun
  • And to my family’s dismay, more good books are being published every week.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Just like that, months of dismay — and his 0-for-3 start to the afternoon — were forgotten.
    — Gabriel Burns, AJC.com, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of dismay
Noun
  • Deacon Phillippe was the winning pitcher and Cy Young the loser.
    — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026
  • However, sticking to the basics of fundamental analysis means that while the selection standard may be higher, the process of determining winners and losers is largely unchanged.
    — Zev Fima, CNBC, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of loser
Noun
  • While voters expressed deep dissatisfaction with Republicans, the survey indicates that voters have relatively little confidence Democrats have their problems in mind.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Trump retains enormous influence among the Republican voters who powered his ascent, even as dissatisfaction with his leadership threatens candidates who must appeal beyond his most committed supporters.
    — Cat Zakrzewski, Washington Post, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of dissatisfaction
Noun
  • Let Congress know how dire the situation is (or will be, if there’s a failure to act).
    — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 4 Oct. 2026
  • The stunning failure in Tennessee's execution chamber on Wednesday has left both sides of the death penalty debate demanding answers.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of failure
Noun
  • Beat shows how so many of the sounds that were prevalent in the mid-’90s contained a unique, end-of-the century sadness.
    — Sadie Sartini Garner, Pitchfork, 4 Oct. 2026
  • People can experience grief, sadness, relief, conflict or combinations of these emotions after any pregnancy outcome.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of sadness
Noun
  • The early start to this NFL season yielded the earliest bummer.
    — Jerry Brewer, New York Times, 10 Sep. 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

Browse Nearby Words

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 5 Oct. 2026.

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