verb
displease
dihs-PLEEZ
Displease (verb) means to annoy or upset someone; to fail to please. Example: “His careless attitude clearly displeased his manager.”
verb
1
To annoy or upset someone; to fail to please.
"His careless attitude clearly displeased his manager."
"She was afraid the decision would displease her parents."
How to use displease
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo make someone unhappy or annoyed rather than pleased.
Common pairings
displease someone
fear of displeasing
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- displeases
- Past tense
- displeased
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
His careless attitude clearly _____ his manager.
Etymology
From dis- + please, via Old French desplere.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for displease
See all rhymes for displease →Frequently asked questions
What does “displease” mean?
The word “displease” means to annoy or upset someone; to fail to please. In plain terms, to make someone unhappy or annoyed rather than pleased.
How do you pronounce “displease”?
“Displease” is pronounced dihs-PLEEZ (/dɪsˈpliːz/ in IPA).
How do you use “displease” in a sentence?
Here is “displease” used in a sentence: “His careless attitude clearly displeased his manager.”
What is another word for “displease”?
Words with a similar meaning to “displease” include misplease.
What is the opposite of “displease”?
The opposite of “displease” — its antonyms — is please.
What part of speech is “displease”?
“Displease” is a verb.
Where does the word “displease” come from?
The word “displease” comes from Old French. From dis- + please, via Old French desplere.
