disappointing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "disappointing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that fails to meet expectations or causes disappointment. Example: "The movie was disappointing; I expected much more from the acclaimed director."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Business

Film

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is disappointing".

The Guardian

A Department for Transport spokesman said: "It is extremely disappointing that Network Rail's engineering works have overrun and will affect travellers during this festive season, passengers will be rightly annoyed.

The Guardian - Business

It was disappointing.

The New York Times - Sports

Sometimes it's very disappointing to lose but in general I think it's just better.

The Guardian - Sport

The visiting back four, however, were barely threatened by a disappointing PSG side in the first half on a mild Parisian night.

The Guardian - Sport

It is deeply disappointing that UWA has lost this opportunity because of toxic politics, ad hominen attacks, and premature judgment.

The Guardian

"I'm just finding it in a way a little bit disappointing that Frank Rijkaard, who is also such a talented player, seems today to have such a negative role, just looking after [Jürgen] Klinsmann," said the ITV commentator Brian Moore, as the clock ticked towards the 20-minute mark.

The Guardian - Sport

"It's very disappointing for me and my family how these things have been communicated and handled in terms of honesty and respect but I guess that's the football business".

The Guardian - Sport

Burberry is down 33p at £12.51 following disappointing results from luxury goods giant LVMH.

The Guardian - Business

It was disappointing to lose the first game but having won the next three we are now very excited.

The Guardian - Sport

The broadcaster's hand has been strengthened since the last three-year deal was signed as the previously-impregnable Cowell has had disappointing ratings for his new shows, Red or Black and cookery show Food Glorious Food.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "disappointing" to express a feeling of sadness or dissatisfaction when expectations are not met. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

While "disappointing" is widely understood, consider stronger or more precise alternatives like "suboptimal", "deficient", or "unsatisfactory" in formal or academic writing to convey a more nuanced meaning.

Linguistic Context

The word "disappointing" primarily functions as an adjective. It describes something that fails to meet expectations or causes a feeling of dissatisfaction. Ludwig shows examples where "disappointing" modifies nouns like "results", "performance", and "ratings".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Sport

15%

Business

10%

Less common in

Film

5%

Science

2%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "disappointing" is a versatile adjective used to express that something has failed to meet expectations. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various contexts, particularly in news, sports, and business. While "disappointing" is suitable for most situations, considering more precise alternatives like "unsatisfactory" or "underwhelming" can enhance clarity and impact in formal writing. Avoid overuse and ensure the context aligns with the intended negative evaluation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unsatisfactory

Indicates that something does not meet the required standards or expectations.

underwhelming

Suggests that something is less impressive or exciting than expected.

lacking

Emphasizes the absence of something necessary or desirable.

deficient

Highlights a specific shortcoming or inadequacy.

inadequate

Indicates that something is not sufficient for a particular purpose.

subpar

Implies that something is below the average or expected quality.

mediocre

Suggests that something is of only moderate or average quality.

poor

Indicates a low quality or standard.

terrible

Indicates something extremely unpleasant or bad.

dismaying

Causes feelings of disappointment and discouragement.

FAQs

How can I use "disappointing" in a sentence?

You can use "disappointing" to describe something that failed to meet expectations. For example, "The movie was disappointing" or "The results were disappointing".

What are some alternatives to saying "disappointing"?

You can use alternatives such as "unsatisfactory", "underwhelming", or "inadequate" depending on the context.

Is "disappointing" a formal or informal word?

"Disappointing" can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, for very formal writing, consider more precise alternatives like "deficient" or "suboptimal".

What's the difference between "disappointing" and "dismaying"?

"Disappointing" generally refers to something that fails to meet expectations, whereas "dismaying" suggests something that causes feelings of disappointment and discouragement. Dismaying carries a slightly stronger negative connotation.