disappointing
Disappointing (adj) means failing to meet expectations; causing disappointment. Example: “The film was a disappointing end to such a promising series.”
adj
1
Failing to meet expectations; causing disappointment.
"The film was a disappointing end to such a promising series."
"The team had a disappointing season."
"It was a disappointing meal for the price."
"disappointing results / news; a disappointing experience"
How to use disappointing
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDescribes something that falls short of what was hoped for.
Common mistake
"Disappointing" describes the thing that lets you down; "disappointed" describes how a person feels. A movie is disappointing; you are disappointed.
Easily confused with
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more disappointing
- Superlative
- most disappointing
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The film was a _____ end to such a promising series.
Synonyms
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unsatisfactory
underwhelming
disheartening
dismaying
lackluster
anticlimactic
dissatisfactory
unsatisfying
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for disappointing
See all rhymes for disappointing →Frequently asked questions
What does “disappointing” mean?
The word “disappointing” means failing to meet expectations; causing disappointment. In plain terms, describes something that falls short of what was hoped for.
How do you use “disappointing” in a sentence?
Here is “disappointing” used in a sentence: “The team had a disappointing season.”
What part of speech is “disappointing”?
“Disappointing” is an adjective.
Is “disappointing” a common word?
“Disappointing” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
What is the difference between disappointing and disappointed?
Disappointing describes the thing that fails to meet expectations, while disappointed describes the person who feels let down. A disappointing movie leaves you disappointed: the movie is disappointing, and you are disappointed.
What is the difference between disappointing and frustrating?
Something is disappointing when it fails to meet your expectations or hopes, and frustrating when it blocks or hinders what you are trying to do. Exam results can be disappointing without being frustrating, while a slow computer is frustrating even if you expected nothing better.
What is a stronger word for disappointing?
Stronger alternatives to disappointing include dismal, dismaying, disheartening, and woeful, which suggest a deeper letdown or a harsher judgment. Milder near-synonyms include underwhelming and unsatisfactory, which simply signal that expectations were not met.
