disappointing

1 of 2

adjective

dis·​ap·​point·​ing ˌdis-ə-ˈpȯin-tiŋ How to pronounce disappointing (audio)
Synonyms of disappointingnext
: failing to meet expectations
a disappointing meal
disappointingly
ˌdis-ə-ˈpȯin-tiŋ-lē How to pronounce disappointing (audio)
adverb

disappointing

2 of 2

present participle of disappoint

Examples of disappointing in a Sentence

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.
Adjective
Larson had a disappointing qualifying run on Saturday and will start 22nd. — ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026 Observers speculated that the Q3 results are likely to be extremely disappointing for the streamer, which is already facing some tough headwinds. — Matt Donnelly, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026 Dombrowski acknowledged the disappointing postseason and already promising changes. — Frederick Sutton Sinclair, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026 Specifically, cues setting expectations of a disappointing or untrustworthy result will reduce motivation. — Christopher Miller, The Conversation, 15 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for disappointing

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1530, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of disappointing was in 1530

Rhymes for disappointing

See All Rhymes for disappointing

Browse Nearby Words

disappointed
disappointing
disappointment
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Disappointing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disappointing. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on disappointing

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for disappointing

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of compunction

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?
See More

Popular

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
artwork of illustrated limes with the text limes and smile with an arrow connecting the two words
Quiz: Spot the Anagram! Scramble these words to find new words with the e...
See All