disappointed
dih-suh-POYN-tihd
Disappointed (adj) means feeling let down because something did not turn out as hoped. Example: “She was disappointed when the trip got cancelled.”
adj
1
Feeling let down because something did not turn out as hoped.
"She was disappointed when the trip got cancelled."
"He tried to hide how disappointed he was with the results."
"I felt disappointed that the cafe had already closed when we got there."
How to use disappointed
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe feeling you get when something doesn't live up to your hopes.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
bitterly disappointed
disappointed with
disappointed in someone
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more disappointed
- Superlative
- most disappointed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She was _____ when the trip got cancelled.
Synonyms
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let down
disheartened
dissatisfied
discouraged
deflated
disillusioned
crestfallen
defeated
discomfited
foiled
frustrated
thwarted
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for disappointed
See all rhymes for disappointed →Frequently asked questions
What does “disappointed” mean?
The word “disappointed” means feeling let down because something did not turn out as hoped. In plain terms, the feeling you get when something doesn't live up to your hopes.
How do you pronounce “disappointed”?
“Disappointed” is pronounced dih-suh-POYN-tihd (/ˌdɪsəˈpɔɪnɪd/ in IPA).
How do you use “disappointed” in a sentence?
Here is “disappointed” used in a sentence: “She was disappointed when the trip got cancelled.”
What is another word for “disappointed”?
Words with a similar meaning to “disappointed” include discomfited, foiled, frustrated and thwarted.
What part of speech is “disappointed”?
“Disappointed” is an adjective.
Is “disappointed” a common word?
“Disappointed” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
What is the difference between disappointed and disappointing?
"Disappointed" describes how a person feels — let down by an outcome. "Disappointing" describes the thing that causes that feeling. You are disappointed; the result is disappointing. Saying "I am disappointing" accidentally claims that you yourself are the letdown, which is a common slip.
Is it "disappointed in," "with," or "by"?
All three are correct in different cases. Use "disappointed in" mainly for people who let you down, "disappointed with" for a thing or result that fell short, and "disappointed by" for the event or action itself — as in disappointed in you, with the film, by the news.
What is the difference between disappointed and upset?
Disappointed specifically means let down because hopes or expectations weren't met. Upset is broader — any state of being distressed, unhappy, or agitated, for many possible reasons. You can be upset without being disappointed, and disappointment is usually the milder, more focused of the two feelings.
What is the opposite of disappointed?
Common opposites include pleased, satisfied, delighted, and gratified — feeling that something met or exceeded your hopes. Which one fits depends on strength: "satisfied" suits expectations simply met, while "delighted" suits being happily surprised by an outcome that was better than expected.
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