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

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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 Residents and City Council members, however, expressed disappointment with the amount of public input in the decision and asked questions about what the contract included. — Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 31 Aug. 2026 Many become lonelier and less equipped to navigate conflict, disappointment, and repair elsewhere. — David H. Rosmarin, Time, 29 Aug. 2026 Six months later, Rashidian says that optimism has largely given way to disappointment among many anti-regime activists. — Julia Vargas Jones, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2026 The announcement brought some disappointment from people in the crowd like Richard Riccetti, a committee chair for the Hemphill Corridor Task Force who was a strong advocate for the original restriping project. — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 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
  • The frustration within the Democratic caucus immediately prompted some calls for harsh consequences.
    — Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2026
  • The AfD was created in 2013 as a small anti-euro party before morphing into an anti-migrant force that tapped into voter frustration over immigration and the strains many Germans perceive on housing, jobs and public services.
    — Erik Kirschbaum, Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of frustration
Noun
  • Sure, Kingdom of the Crystal Skull was a letdown, but the full truth is more complicated.
    — Frank DeRuggiero, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Our review highlighted its everyday usability, lightweight design, and overall good value, though this configuration’s measly 128GB of storage is a bit of a letdown.
    — Kelsey Fogarty, PC Magazine, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of letdown
Noun
  • Most, hosted by a coalition of local Democratic groups, discussed dismay at the number of deaths in the county jail and the reduction of polling locations.
    — Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Russia's surprise return to the table sparked dismay among European officials, who opposed appearing with Siluanov in the traditional G20 photo, which was ultimately taken without the Russian minister.
    — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of dismay
Noun
  • Four of the last seven Super Bowl losers missed the playoffs the next season, including the last two (the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers).
    — Chad Graff, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Here’s a look at how the global economy has weathered the war — and the winners and losers.
    — Matt Sedensky, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of loser
Noun
  • But any new owner was likely to be championed, so great was the dissatisfaction.
    — Andy McCullough, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
  • But for Amal, a new way of thinking about her future is dawning, and with it, potential dissatisfaction with what previously had been her set role in life.
    — Jay Weissberg, Variety, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of dissatisfaction
Noun
  • Their failure to receive one may be attributed to their having vague symptoms, such as a general feeling of malaise, weakness, or fluctuating muscle pain.
    — Jerome Groopman, The New York Review of Books, 5 Sep. 2026
  • Compounding the issue was UM’s failure to get to the quarterback.
    — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of failure
Noun
  • For example, expressing appreciation for past help or thanking the doctor for their time was more helpful than emphasizing sadness or frustration.
    — Paul Hsieh, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2026
  • But our frustrations and inconvenience pale in comparison to the sadness of those who knew the deceased or to the trauma the drivers involved experienced.
    — Doug Turnbull, AJC.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of sadness
Noun
  • Which is a bummer, because this team is — somehow — very, very good.
    — Chris Branch, New York Times, 20 Aug. 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

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disappointing
disappointment
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Cite this Entry

“Disappointment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disappointment. Accessed 7 Sep. 2026.

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