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Disappointing Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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disappointing

[ˌdɪs.əˈpɔɪn.tɪŋ ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

feeling

Causing someone to feel upset or discouraged because something is not as good as expected.

Synonyms

discouraging, disheartening, frustrating, unsatisfactory.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
disappointing

Used when something does not meet expectations or hopes, often in a mild or general sense.

  • The movie was disappointing
  • The team's performance was disappointing
discouraging

Used when a situation makes someone feel less confident or less enthusiastic. It often implies an impact on one's motivation or determination.

  • The lack of progress is discouraging
  • The negative reviews were very discouraging for the author
unsatisfactory

Used to express that something is not acceptable or adequate, usually from an evaluative standpoint.

  • The service at the restaurant was unsatisfactory
  • The results of the experiment were unsatisfactory
frustrating

Used when something causes feelings of annoyance and stress, often because of obstacles or repeated failures.

  • The constant delays were frustrating
  • It was frustrating trying to solve the complicated puzzle
disheartening

Used when something causes a loss of hope or spirit, often in a more emotional or profound sense compared to 'discouraging'.

  • The news of the layoffs was disheartening
  • The failure of the project left the team disheartening

Examples of usage

  • He gave a disappointing performance in the final match.
  • I found the movie very disappointing.
  • The test results were disappointing for the students.
Context #2 | Verb

action

To fail to fulfill the hopes or expectations of; to let down.

Synonyms

fail, frustrate, let down, upset.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
disappointing

Used when a situation or outcome does not meet expectations or hopes.

  • The movie was disappointing because the plot was predictable
  • The team's performance was disappointing in the last game
let down

Used when someone does not meet another person's expectations, often causing disappointment; often has a personal or relational component.

  • I felt let down when he forgot my birthday
  • The team let down their coach by losing the match
fail

Used when an attempt does not succeed or something does not achieve its intended purpose.

  • The project failed due to lack of funding
  • If you don't study, you might fail the exam
frustrate

Used when talking about something that makes a person feel annoyed or less confident, often because they cannot achieve a goal.

  • The constant changes in plans frustrated the team
  • Traffic jams frustrate me every morning
upset

Used when someone feels sad, worried, or angry because of something that has happened. It can describe both minor annoyances and significant emotional disturbances.

  • She was upset about the argument with her friend
  • The news of the accident upset everyone at the office

Examples of usage

  • The team's loss disappointed their fans.
  • She was disappointed by his lack of effort.
  • Don't disappoint me with your decision.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

  • Feeling disappointed can trigger a range of emotions, including sadness, frustration, and even anger.
  • Disappointment helps people develop resilience by teaching them how to cope with unmet expectations.
  • Research shows that high expectations can lead to greater disappointment when not met, influencing overall happiness.

Literature

  • Disappointment often appears as a central theme in literature, reflecting human experiences and relationships.
  • Many classic stories, such as 'Great Expectations' by Charles Dickens, explore the protagonist's feelings of disillusionment.
  • In poetry, disappointment is used to evoke deep emotions, showcasing the struggles of love, hope, and loss.

Pop Culture

  • Popular songs often center around themes of disappointment, depicting heartache and lost dreams, like 'Creep' by Radiohead.
  • Movies frequently incorporate elements of disappointment to create conflict, such as characters facing failed plans or heartaches.
  • Disappointment is a recurring motif in sitcoms, where humor often derives from characters' high expectations leading to comical letdowns.

Everyday Life

  • Common moments of disappointment can be found in daily life, from a meal not tasting as good as expected to a missed opportunity.
  • Disappointment is a universal feeling shared across cultures, whether due to sporting events or personal relationships.
  • Ways to deal with disappointment include sharing feelings with friends, reframing the situation positively, or setting more realistic expectations.

Origin of 'disappointing'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Old French 'descupir', meaning to 'unappoint' or to 'remove from position'.
  • It appeared in English around the late 15th century, adapting the meaning to express unmet expectations.
  • The prefix 'dis-' means to reverse, while 'appoint' refers to a commitment or promise, emphasizing the theme of unmet promises.

The word 'disappointing' comes from the Middle French word 'desapointer', which means 'to remove from office'. Over time, the meaning evolved to convey the sense of failing to meet expectations. The term has been in use since the 15th century, reflecting the universal experience of feeling let down or dissatisfied with an outcome.

See also: disappointingly, disappointment.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #11,111, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.