disappointingly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "disappointingly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a sense of disappointment regarding a situation or outcome. Example: "The movie was disappointingly predictable, lacking any real surprises."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Disappointingly, although they commented favourably on some aspects, their general view was that the situation had not improved.

The Guardian

Rather disappointingly he chose to be the bigger man and merely cantered past his rival without so much as a sideways look.

The Guardian - Sport

Forest's threat was intermittent at best, though Robert Tesche, having sliced one effort disappointingly wide, drew an outstanding close-range save from Westwood after the Wednesday defence failed to clear a corner.

The Guardian - Sport

"There have been two hen harrier nesting attempts on or adjacent to grouse moors this spring but, disappointingly, neither have resulted in chicks hatching.

The Guardian

Wycliffe, whose name was also spelt Wyclif, Wycliff, Wiclef, Wicliffe, Wickliffe (though disappointingly, it seems, never Wyclef), was born in Yorkshire around 1330, and first pops up in Oxford in 1345; by 1360 he was master of Balliol.

The Guardian

But Miliband was disappointingly quiet on other areas – crucially on privatisation of public services.

The Guardian - Opinion

The broadcasters are now proposing that seven representatives stand behind podiums in what is being called "the Borgen Scenario", although rather disappointingly they won't all be made to speak Danish.

The Guardian - Opinion

But there's no mention, disappointingly, of the television industry's own super-rich.

The Guardian

There will be no such revamp in 2015 and, disappointingly, the safe seats that exist are being snapped up by men.

The Guardian - Opinion

Related: 'Red Boris' and the Daily Mail Disappointingly, Cameron declined to answer: "Don't be absurd, madam.

The Guardian

There is disappointingly little new on climate change, and plenty to indicate that there is no enthusiasm for challenging Britain's profligate carbon consumption.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "disappointingly" to express a subjective feeling of letdown when something doesn't meet expectations. This helps to convey a nuanced emotional response to the situation.

Common error

Avoid starting too many sentences with "disappointingly" in formal documents. It can make your writing sound overly emotional or less objective. Instead, integrate the disappointment directly into the sentence structure.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "disappointingly" modifies verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs to express the manner in which an action is performed or a state exists, emphasizing a feeling of unmet expectations or disillusionment. Ludwig's examples show it qualifies outcomes or performances.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Formal & Business

16%

Science

16%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "disappointingly" functions as an adverb to express a sense of unmet expectations or regret. According to Ludwig, its usage is grammatically correct and commonly found in news, business, and scientific contexts. When using this adverb, be mindful of the register, avoiding overuse in formal writing. Consider alternatives such as "unfortunately" or "regrettably" to vary your language. "Disappointingly" effectively conveys subjective feelings, enhancing the emotional impact of your writing, as highlighted by Ludwig's examples.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Regrettably

Indicates sorrow or disappointment, often used in formal contexts.

To one's disappointment

Emphasizes the feeling of disillusionment or frustration.

Unfortunately

Expresses regret about a situation but is more general and less focused on unmet expectations.

It's a shame that

Indicates that something is regrettable or unfortunate.

Sadly

Conveys sorrow or unhappiness about a particular situation.

It was disheartening that

Focuses on the discouraging or demoralizing aspect of the situation.

It is a pity that

Introduces a statement expressing regret or disappointment.

Much to my regret

Highlights the speaker's personal sorrow or disappointment.

To my dismay

Highlights the speaker's feelings of disappointment or distress.

Alas

Expresses grief, pity, or concern.

FAQs

How can I use "disappointingly" in a sentence?

"Disappointingly" is used to express that something happened in a way that caused disappointment. For example, "The movie was "disappointingly short"" or "The results were "disappointingly low"".

What are some alternatives to "disappointingly"?

Alternatives include "unfortunately", "regrettably", or "sadly". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to start a sentence with "disappointingly"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. Starting a sentence with "disappointingly" is an effective way to emphasize the feeling of disappointment at the beginning of the statement. However, vary your sentence structure to avoid monotony.

What's the difference between "disappointingly" and "unfortunately"?

"Disappointingly" specifically highlights the unmet expectations or feeling of letdown, whereas "unfortunately" is a more general term for something unfavorable. "The team lost, "unfortunately"" is general, while "The team played "disappointingly"" focuses on their performance.