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 In posts on the Instagram account, @bensonboonenation, fans voiced their frustration and disappointment. — Emma Hall, Sacbee.com, 11 Aug. 2026 The frustration and disappointment of the young, educated, and downwardly mobile middle class has become the defining force in Democratic politics. — Jay Caspian Kang, New Yorker, 11 Aug. 2026 But when alignment really matters is in the second year, during the first downturn, the first product disappointment or the first time growth results comes in slower than the model assumed. — Abdulrahman Hammad, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026 As youth sports and other activities become more and more competitive with what feels like increasingly high stakes, your child may experience some disappointment if they’re not picked for a team or chosen for a role. — Kara Nesvig, Parents, 10 Aug. 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
  • Survivors have expressed frustration and criticized the Japanese government's support for nuclear deterrence for being insincere.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 9 Aug. 2026
  • The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office has not publicly commented on their investigation for weeks, deferring questions to the district attorney — who acknowledged the public’s frustration.
    — Alisha Ebrahimji, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 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
  • Locals sought to protect the land, which had long housed a storied artist residency program, from development, but in the end the foundation sold it to the South Seas resort for $45 million, to the dismay of many.
    — Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 7 Aug. 2026
  • We’re filled with dismay at the hard left turn the Democratic Party has been taking in this primary season, and El-Sayed’s narrow win is still a win.
    — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of dismay
Noun
  • The quarterfinal winners will secure automatic qualification for the 2027 World Cup, while the losers will face off in a final set of matches to determine which two teams advance to FIFA’s intercontinental playoff next year.
    — Tamerra Griffin, New York Times, 6 Aug. 2026
  • That point was on Monday, with the former first lady, secretary of state, senator and 2016 presidential election loser showing up to watch the New York Liberty take on the Seattle Storm.
    — Matt Reigle OutKick, FOXNews.com, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of loser
Noun
  • There also has been widespread dissatisfaction over how some insurers have handled January 2025 fire claims.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 Aug. 2026
  • This insidious method is a form of bullying, causing significant psychological harm and higher dissatisfaction than overt harassment.
    — Jason Walker PsyD, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of dissatisfaction
Noun
  • The failures of England’s previous generations were multi-faceted, but how much did the national culture feed into the acceptance of their behaviour?
    — Mark Carey, New York Times, 9 Aug. 2026
  • These can overwhelm and damage your kidneys, leading to kidney failure.
    — Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of failure
Noun
  • The researchers also detected differences in the brain activity associated with faces showing fear versus anger or sadness.
    — Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Gastélum’s last posts on Instagram and TikTok have thousands of comments ranging from sadness to disbelief.
    — Rey Rodríguez, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of sadness
Noun
  • Instead, here on the show, Freddie Fox’s Gwayne Hightower stops him from making said move, which is a bit of a bummer.
    — Josh Wigler, HollywoodReporter, 12 Aug. 2026
  • The only bummer is the Pocketbyte is still very much in the works.
    — Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 2 Aug. 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 13 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on disappointment

Nglish: Translation of disappointment for Spanish Speakers

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