disappointing

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

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.
That was disappointing to see for Sophia Choukas-Bradley, an associate professor of psychology at the University of Pittsburgh. — ABC News, 8 Aug. 2026 That would be an improvement on the disappointing 57,000 jobs employers created in June. — Paul Wiseman, Fortune, 7 Aug. 2026 Despite the disappointing results of her first documentary, Melania—which reportedly grossed just under $17 million, while Amazon MGM Studios reportedly spent nearly $75 million—the First Lady has decided to try again. — Blanche Marcel, Vanity Fair, 6 Aug. 2026 Externally, the move to trade away one of the league’s top scorers is seen as waving the white flag on yet another disappointing season. — Los Angeles Times, 6 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for disappointing

Word History

First Known Use

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 9 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on disappointing

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for disappointing

Nglish: Translation of disappointing for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of anecdote

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

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

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

'Sneaked' or 'Snuck': Which is correct?

Why does English have so many silent letters?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Aug. 7

How long is a jiffy?
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat
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
fridge-magnet-letters
Drop a Letter Quiz August 2026 Drop a letter from a word to make a totally diffe...
See All