disappoint

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "disappoint" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing feelings of dissatisfaction or letdown regarding a person, event, or outcome. Example: "I was really looking forward to the concert, but it ended up disappointing me."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

So you want to make sure you don't disappoint people.

The Guardian - Film

Our first glimpse of Taroudant – its spectacular, 15th-century ramparts – didn't disappoint.

The Guardian - Travel

Despite it all, the game did not disappoint.

The Guardian - Sport

The feeling among the press and the public was summed up by a colleague who wrote: "Whatever happens, Merkel is bound to disappoint the British".

The Guardian

In this regard at least, Labour did not disappoint.

The Guardian - Opinion

Nothing needs to approach perfection anymore and an acceptable standard does not disappoint.

The Guardian

We like tunes.' Their third single, 'Blood', does not disappoint.

The Guardian - Music

They didn't recommend leaving the spa, they said, because the food would make us ill, and, compared with their five-star facilities, Oualidia would disappoint.

The Guardian - Travel

Passing sentence, the judge told Shoraka and Stewart: "I am going to disappoint the media by making no comment on Mark Kennedy, other than to say that he played absolutely no part in the trial of you and the other 18.

The Guardian

While Labour's lead is comfortable, its score will disappoint party strategists who would have hoped it would be pushing well above 40% as the economy hovers close to a triple-dip recession.

The Guardian

The 700-page, £30m five-year inquiry rejects conspiracy in favour of cock-up to explain the hit on "King Rat", and will therefore disappoint the usual suspects.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "disappoint", ensure the context clearly indicates whose expectations are not being met. For example, "The results disappointed the investors" is clearer than "The results were disappointing."

Common error

Avoid using passive voice when active voice would be more direct and impactful. Instead of saying "He was disappointed by the news", consider saying "The news disappointed him."

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "disappoint" is as a transitive verb, indicating an action performed upon someone or something, causing them to feel dissatisfaction. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "disappoint" functions as a transitive verb used to describe the act of failing to meet expectations. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent use across diverse contexts, including News & Media, Formal & Business, and Science. The phrase maintains a neutral register, making it suitable for both formal and informal communication. To avoid common errors, it's advisable to use active voice for directness and clarity. Semantically related alternatives include "fail to satisfy" and "let down".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

let someone down

Focuses on the emotional aspect of disappointing someone.

fall short of expectations

Indicates a failure to reach the anticipated level of performance or quality.

not live up to

Highlights the failure to achieve a certain standard or reputation.

fail to satisfy

Emphasizes the inability to meet someone's needs or desires.

not measure up

Indicates a failure to meet a required standard or comparison.

frustrate expectations

Emphasizes the thwarting of anticipated outcomes.

leave wanting

Suggests a feeling of incompleteness or unfulfillment.

dash hopes

Suggests a more abrupt and severe disappointment.

prove unsatisfactory

Highlights the lack of quality or effectiveness.

be a setback

Implies a negative impact on progress or goals.

FAQs

How can I use "disappoint" in a sentence?

"Disappoint" can be used to describe the act of failing to meet someone's expectations. For example, "The movie didn't "live up to" the hype and disappointed many viewers."

What can I say instead of "disappoint"?

You can use alternatives like "let down", "fail to satisfy", or "fall short of expectations" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "disappoint" or "disillusion"?

"Disappoint" means to fail to meet expectations, while "disillusion" means to cause someone to realize that something is not as good as they had believed. They have different meanings and are not interchangeable.

What's the difference between "disappoint" and "frustrate"?

"Disappoint" implies a failure to fulfill expectations, whereas "frustrate" suggests preventing someone from achieving a goal. While both can cause negative feelings, they describe distinct situations.