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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 So far, McDaniel’s brief Chargers’ tenure hasn’t just been a disappointment. — Los Angeles Times, 21 Sep. 2026 Oakley and Reid lean so heavily into Elinor and Marianne’s crushing disappointments and the forces holding them back in a period of vast gender inequity, that their sorrows shove the characters’ more captivating qualities to the side. — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 21 Sep. 2026 The 15-10 loss to North Carolina in the opener in Dublin, Ireland, was a disappointment. — ABC News, 19 Sep. 2026 Jentleson spends only one page on this obvious disappointment, faulting Fetterman for taking too much delight in conflict with the left and for becoming too credulous toward AIPAC. — Isaac Arnsdorf, New Yorker, 18 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
  • At stake are the biggest sources of frustration for both sides.
    — Cara Anna, Los Angeles Times, 26 Sep. 2026
  • In addition to his frustration with Harry and Meghan’s current royal status, William is said to be furious about their finances.
    — Allison DeGrushe, StyleCaster, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of frustration
Noun
  • The announcement also comes just weeks after the letdown of ZEUS, a Phase 3 trial evaluating Novo Nordisk’s ziltivekimab, a monoclonal antibody targeting IL-6 as an anti-inflammatory agent.
    — Vishal Khetpal, STAT, 24 Sep. 2026
  • Then, as usual, the team suffered a major letdown in Week 2 against the Saints, culminating in a game-losing interception thrown by Jackson.
    — Bobby Burack OutKick, FOXNews.com, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of letdown
Noun
  • At the same time, Gen Z is drinking less alcohol at bars and clubs, to the dismay of the night life industry.
    — Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 20 Sep. 2026
  • The cursed island town in Widow’s Bay has summoned all kinds of supernatural entities, much to the dismay of its residents.
    — Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of dismay
Noun
  • The winner will emerge feeling optimistic about its chances of making a run in the Big 12, while the loser may need to recalibrate expectations for the rest of the season.
    — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Sep. 2026
  • Olivia Miles scored 20 points to lead Minnesota, losers of three straight.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of loser
Noun
  • Officials have argued that betting losses have fueled public dissatisfaction with the economy, despite record-low unemployment and relatively subdued inflation in the country.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 26 Sep. 2026
  • The ticket price fluctuates based on usage conditions so as not to cause dissatisfaction among customers waiting in line.
    — Masayuki Oi Japan News, Arkansas Online, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of dissatisfaction
Noun
  • Repeating that process places significant stress on components, increasing operational and capital costs due to the risk of failure, maintenance requirements and downtime.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 26 Sep. 2026
  • The driver, identified as 54-year-old Robert Delorenzo of Stratford, was arrested and charged with reckless driving, operating an unregistered motor vehicle and failure to stop on the right side of the road.
    — Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of failure
Noun
  • This year's report finds that levels of persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness among high schoolers have fallen in recent years – from 42% in 2021, to 40% in 2023 and 33% in 2025.
    — Rhitu Chatterjee, NPR, 23 Sep. 2026
  • Scott is tremendous and tragic in the film, maybe more so in its moments of dark humor than in its final beats of near operatic sadness.
    — Joe Reid, Vulture, 21 Sep. 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 28 Sep. 2026.

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