disappoint

verb

dis·​ap·​point ˌdis-ə-ˈpȯint How to pronounce disappoint (audio)
disappointed; disappointing; disappoints

transitive verb

: to fail to meet the expectation or hope of : frustrate
the team disappointed its fans
He disappointed his parents with his decision.

intransitive verb

: to fail to meet a hope or expectation : to cause disappointment
where the show disappoints most is in the work of the younger generationJohn Ashbery

Examples of disappoint in a Sentence

The team disappointed its fans. The show may disappoint some viewers. The novel disappoints by being predictable and overly long.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Diaz did not disappoint, making quick work of the Cards (9-12) for his fifth save in as many tries. Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 19 Apr. 2025 This is an excellent MLB matchup that will not disappoint; make sure to tune in with FuboTV to catch all the action. Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Apr. 2025 Buchinger Wilhelmi | Überlingen, Germany Therapeutic fasting is Buchinger Wilhelmi’s claim to fame, and the German clinic doesn’t disappoint. Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 18 Apr. 2025 Nintendo fans excited over the upcoming Switch console said on April 3 they were disappointed by the high price tag, as US tariffs bite. Megan Farokhmanesh, Wired News, 18 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for disappoint

Word History

Etymology

Middle English disapointen to dispossess, from Middle French desapointer, from des- dis- + appointer to arrange — more at appoint

First Known Use

circa 1513, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of disappoint was circa 1513

Cite this Entry

“Disappoint.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disappoint. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

disappoint

verb
dis·​ap·​point ˌdis-ə-ˈpȯint How to pronounce disappoint (audio)
: to fail to meet the expectation or hope of
the team disappointed its fans

More from Merriam-Webster on disappoint

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