When you disappoint someone, it means you don't do what they hoped or expected you would do.
This can make them feel sad or let down because their hopes were not met.
It's like when someone believes in you or expects a certain outcome from a situation, but then it doesn't happen that way.
For example, if you promise to help a friend and then you can't, you might disappoint them.
To disappoint someone means you haven't met their expectations, leading to feelings of sadness or let-down. It implies a failure to live up to a promise, a standard, or a belief that someone held. This often occurs when results fall short of what was anticipated, causing a negative emotional reaction. For instance, if a friend promised to help you move but didn't show up, you would likely feel disappointed.
At a CEFR C2 level, "disappoint" transcends the basic understanding of not meeting expectations. It delves into the nuanced emotional and psychological impact of such a failure. It signifies a profound letdown, often stemming from a breach of trust or a significant deviation from deeply held beliefs or aspirations. The disappointment can be deeply personal, affecting one's sense of self-worth or their perception of another's integrity. It implies a more intricate understanding of human relationships and the intricate web of expectations that bind them, often leading to a reassessment of values or a re-evaluation of a situation's intrinsic merit.
§ Similar words and when to use this one vs alternatives
The word 'disappoint' is a common and versatile verb used to describe the feeling of letdown when expectations are not met. However, depending on the intensity of the feeling, the reason for the disappointment, or the formality of the context, several alternatives might be more appropriate. Understanding these nuances can help you choose the most precise word.
- Fail
- While 'disappoint' suggests a feeling of letdown, 'fail' often implies a more objective and sometimes more severe lack of success or inability to perform a task. 'Fail' can be used impersonally, referring to a system or an attempt, whereas 'disappoint' almost always relates to the feelings of individuals.
The company's new product failed to meet sales targets, which disappointed investors.
- Let down
- 'Let down' is a phrasal verb that is very close in meaning to 'disappoint' and is often used interchangeably, especially in informal contexts. It carries a strong sense of personal trust being broken or expectations not being met by someone specific.
I felt completely let down when my friend didn't show up, it really disappointed me.
- Dishearten
- To 'dishearten' means to cause someone to lose hope, enthusiasm, or courage. While 'disappoint' can lead to disheartening feelings, 'dishearten' specifically focuses on the emotional impact of discouraging someone from continuing their efforts or maintaining a positive outlook.
The continuous setbacks began to dishearten the team, making them feel disappointed with their progress.
- Frustrate
- To 'frustrate' is to prevent someone from progressing or achieving something, often leading to feelings of annoyance or anger rather than sadness. While disappointment can be a result of frustration, frustration itself is more about obstacles and hindrance.
The constant delays frustrated the project manager, who was also disappointed by the lack of progress.
- Discourage
- Similar to 'dishearten,' to 'discourage' means to cause someone to lose confidence or enthusiasm. It implies actively deterring someone from an action or goal. Disappointment can be a cause of discouragement, but 'discourage' highlights the effect on someone's will or resolve.
The rejection of his proposal discouraged him, and he felt deeply disappointed by the outcome.
§ When to use 'disappoint'
Use 'disappoint' when you want to express that someone's hopes or expectations were not met, resulting in feelings of sadness or letdown. It's a general and widely understood term that focuses on the emotional impact of an unfulfilled expectation.
- When referring to unfulfilled personal expectations: You can disappoint a friend, a parent, or even yourself.
- When an outcome doesn't meet a desired standard: A performance, a product, or a result can disappoint.
- In both formal and informal contexts: 'Disappoint' is appropriate in a wide range of situations, from casual conversations to formal reports.
I hope I don't disappoint you with my presentation.
The movie really disappointed me; I expected more from that director.
In summary, while there are many words that touch upon the idea of unmet expectations or negative outcomes, 'disappoint' specifically captures the feeling of sadness or letdown that arises when hopes are not realized. Choosing the right alternative depends on the specific nuance of the feeling or situation you wish to convey.
按水平分级的例句
I don't want to disappoint my parents.
No quiero decepcionar a mis padres.
Here, 'disappoint' is followed by a direct object (my parents).
The movie disappointed me a little.
La película me decepcionó un poco.
'Disappointed' is in the past simple tense, showing a past action.
She was disappointed with her test results.
Ella estaba decepcionada con los resultados de su examen.
'Disappointed with' is a common phrase to express feeling let down by something.
Don't disappoint your team; play your best!
¡No decepciones a tu equipo; juega lo mejor que puedas!
This is an imperative sentence, giving a command or strong advice.
He felt very disappointed when he lost the game.
Se sintió muy decepcionado cuando perdió el juego.
'Felt disappointed' describes an emotion in the past.
It would disappoint me if you didn't come.
Me decepcionaría si no vinieras.
This sentence uses the conditional 'would' to talk about a hypothetical situation.
The weather didn't disappoint; it was sunny!
El clima no decepcionó; ¡estuvo soleado!
'Didn't disappoint' is the negative past simple of 'disappoint'.
I hope I don't disappoint you with my cooking.
Espero no decepcionarte con mi cocina.
'Hope I don't disappoint' expresses a desire to meet expectations.
I'm really disappointed with my test results; I studied so hard.
I'm upset about my test results.
Using 'disappointed with' to express feelings about something.
The new restaurant disappointed many customers with its slow service.
The restaurant's slow service let customers down.
Using 'disappointed' as a verb to describe an action that caused disappointment.
She didn't want to disappoint her parents, so she tried her best.
She tried hard not to let her parents down.
Using 'disappoint' with a direct object.
It would disappoint me if you couldn't come to the party.
I would be sad if you couldn't come.
Using 'would disappoint' to express a hypothetical negative feeling.
The movie was highly anticipated, but it ultimately disappointed viewers.
The movie didn't meet viewers' expectations.
Using 'disappointed' as a verb in the past tense.
I hope I don't disappoint you with my performance.
I hope I meet your expectations with my performance.
Using 'disappoint' in a negative hope.
His failure to complete the project disappointed the whole team.
The team was let down by his unfinished project.
Using a noun phrase as the subject of 'disappoint'.
Don't disappoint yourself by setting unrealistic goals.
Don't let yourself down by having goals that are too difficult.
Using 'disappoint yourself' reflexively.
常见搭配
常用短语
I don't want to disappoint you
Ich möchte Sie nicht enttäuschen
to disappoint someone deeply
jemanden zutiefst enttäuschen
it would disappoint me if...
es würde mich enttäuschen, wenn...
not to disappoint anyone
niemanden enttäuschen
he managed to disappoint everyone
er hat es geschafft, alle zu enttäuschen
I hope I don't disappoint
Ich hoffe, ich enttäusche nicht
don't let me disappoint
lass mich nicht enttäuschen
it's hard to disappoint him
es ist schwer, ihn zu enttäuschen
you'll disappoint me if you...
Sie werden mich enttäuschen, wenn Sie...
never to disappoint again
nie wieder enttäuschen
词族
名词
动词
形容词
常见问题
10 个问题Disappoint is a verb, meaning to cause someone to feel sad or let down. For example, 'I don't want to disappoint you.' Disappointment is a noun, referring to the feeling itself or something that causes that feeling. For example, 'Her absence was a disappointment.'
Yes, absolutely! You can indeed say 'I disappointed myself' to express that you failed to meet your own expectations or standards, leading to a feeling of regret or sadness about your own actions.
Common synonyms for 'disappoint' include let down, disillusion, dash hopes, or fall short of expectations. These all convey a similar sense of failing to meet someone's hopes.
The past tense of 'disappoint' is disappointed. For example, 'I was disappointed by the movie' or 'He disappointed his parents by not getting good grades.'
Not quite! Disappointing is an adjective describing something that causes disappointment (e.g., 'The results were disappointing'). Disappointed is an adjective describing how someone feels (e.g., 'I feel disappointed').
No, 'disappoint' almost exclusively carries a negative connotation. While you might use a phrase like 'pleasantly surprised,' 'pleasantly disappointed' would be a contradiction in terms, as disappointment is inherently an unpleasant feeling.
When referring to a person, 'disappoint' is often followed by 'by' or 'with.' For example, 'I was disappointed by the service' or 'She was disappointed with her exam results.' You can also disappoint someone directly.
While both can involve negative feelings, 'disappoint' is about failing to meet expectations or hopes, causing sadness or being let down. Frustrate is more about being prevented from achieving a goal or being unable to change a situation, leading to annoyance or anger.
Yes, you can say something like 'The weather disappointed us' or 'The new car disappointed him.' In these cases, the inanimate object or situation is the cause of the disappointment.
To avoid disappointing someone, it's important to set realistic expectations, communicate clearly, and try your best to fulfill commitments. If you can't meet an expectation, it's often best to address it honestly and proactively.
自我测试 54 个问题
I don't want to ___ my parents.
To 'disappoint' means to make someone sad because you didn't do what they expected.
She felt ___ when her friends didn't come to her party.
'Disappointed' is how someone feels when their hopes are not met.
The bad weather will ___ many people who planned a picnic.
The weather will 'disappoint' if it ruins plans and makes people sad.
Please don't ___ me. Try your best!
To 'disappoint' someone means to let them down.
He was ___ when his favorite team lost the game.
He felt 'disappointed' because his team didn't win.
It would ___ me if you couldn't come to the movie.
It would 'disappoint' if a desired outcome (coming to the movie) does not happen.
My friends will be _____ if I don't go to the party.
To 'disappoint' means to make someone sad because something didn't happen as they hoped. If you don't go to the party, your friends might feel sad.
The movie was very bad. It really _____ me.
If a movie is very bad, it didn't meet your expectations, so it 'disappointed' you.
Don't _____ your parents. Study hard for your test.
If you don't study and do well, your parents might feel let down, so you don't want to 'disappoint' them.
If you do well in a game, you will disappoint your team.
If you do well, your team will be happy, not disappointed. To disappoint means to fail expectations.
My teacher was disappointed because I didn't do my homework.
Not doing homework can make a teacher feel let down or sad because they expect you to do it. So, they would be disappointed.
I was very happy and disappointed at the same time when I won the prize.
You usually cannot be happy and disappointed at the exact same time about the same event. Disappointment means feeling let down, which is the opposite of happy.
Think about how actions can affect others' feelings.
Consider reactions to an experience.
This expresses a strong hope for future actions.
Read this aloud:
It would disappoint me if you didn't come to the party.
Focus: disappoint, didn't
你说的：
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Read this aloud:
I hope I don't disappoint my teacher with my grades.
Focus: hope, disappoint, teacher, grades
你说的：
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Read this aloud:
He looked disappointed when his team lost the game.
Focus: disappointed, lost, game
你说的：
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The new policy will inevitably ___ many employees who were hoping for a raise.
To disappoint means to fail to fulfill hopes or expectations. The context suggests employees were hoping for a raise, and the new policy will not meet this expectation.
It would truly ___ me if you didn't attend the graduation ceremony.
The speaker expresses that they would feel let down if the person didn't attend, which aligns with the meaning of 'disappoint'.
Despite their best efforts, the team's performance continued to ___ their fans.
If the team's performance continued to fall short of expectations, it would cause their fans to feel let down, or disappointed.
I hate to ___, but the project deadline has been moved forward significantly.
Moving a deadline forward is likely to cause a feeling of being let down or frustrated, so 'disappoint' fits the context of delivering bad news.
Her parents were deeply ___ by her decision to drop out of university.
Parents would likely feel let down or sad if their child dropped out of university, which is the meaning of 'disappointed'.
The company's failure to innovate will inevitably ___ its investors.
Investors would expect innovation, so a lack of it would cause them to feel let down, hence 'disappoint'.
Consider the speaker's concern about the project's outcome.
Focus on the emotional state of the team.
The speaker is encouraging resilience.
Read this aloud:
It would truly disappoint me if you chose not to pursue your dreams.
Focus: disappoint
你说的：
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Read this aloud:
I'm trying my best not to disappoint my parents' expectations.
Focus: expectations
你说的：
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Read this aloud:
To disappoint a loyal customer can have long-term consequences for a business.
Focus: consequences
你说的：
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This sentence structure is a common subject-verb-object construction, where 'The bad news' is the subject, 'will disappoint' is the verb phrase, and 'everyone' is the object.
The sentence begins with the subject 'I' and the verb 'hope'. 'Not to disappoint' is an infinitive phrase acting as the object of 'hope', and 'my parents' is the object of 'disappoint'.
This sentence uses a negative past tense construction. 'His performance' is the subject, 'didn't disappoint' is the negative verb phrase, and 'the audience' is the object.
The company's latest product launch was a spectacular failure, much to the ___ of its investors, who had anticipated substantial returns.
The context of 'spectacular failure' and investors anticipating 'substantial returns' indicates a negative feeling, making 'dismay' the most appropriate choice to describe their disappointment.
Despite his extensive preparations and unwavering confidence, the candidate's performance in the interview proved to be rather ___, failing to impress the panel.
The phrase 'failing to impress the panel' suggests a lack of impact or something less than expected, making 'underwhelming' the correct descriptor.
Her parents expressed their profound ___ when she decided to abandon her promising academic career for a highly unconventional artistic pursuit.
Abandoning a 'promising academic career' for an 'unconventional artistic pursuit' would likely cause distress or disappointment for parents, which 'consternation' accurately conveys.
The public's initial enthusiasm for the new policy quickly turned to ___ as its detrimental long-term effects became increasingly apparent.
When initial enthusiasm turns sour due to 'detrimental long-term effects,' the public would feel a loss of idealism or belief, which is 'disillusionment.'
The highly anticipated sequel proved to be a significant ___ to fans, as it failed to capture the essence and quality of its predecessor.
When something 'failed to capture the essence and quality of its predecessor,' it implies it did not meet expectations, making 'letdown' the most fitting term for disappointment.
Despite the fervent hopes for a decisive victory, the team's performance in the championship match was utterly ___, leading to widespread public lament.
The phrase 'leading to widespread public lament' clearly indicates a negative outcome and deep disappointment, for which 'abysmal' (extremely bad) is the strongest fit.
Describe a time when you were deeply disappointed by an outcome or a person's actions. How did you cope with this disappointment, and what lessons did you learn from the experience?
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
I once harbored significant hopes for a promotion, investing countless hours and considerable effort into demonstrating my capabilities. When the decision was announced, and I was passed over, the disappointment was profound, almost a physical blow. I initially felt a potent mix of frustration and self-doubt. To cope, I allowed myself a period of introspection, journaling my feelings and discussing them with a trusted mentor. This process helped me to acknowledge my emotions without succumbing to them. The key lesson I gleaned was the importance of detaching my self-worth from external validation and focusing on internal satisfaction from my work. It reinforced the idea that while external goals are motivating, true fulfillment comes from continuous self-improvement and adaptability. This experience ultimately fortified my resilience and refined my understanding of personal and professional ambition.
Imagine you are a manager who needs to deliver news that will likely disappoint your team. Draft an email to your team, carefully choosing your words to mitigate the negative impact and maintain morale.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Subject: Important Update Regarding Project X Dear Team, I'm writing to you today with an important update regarding Project X. After extensive review and consideration of various factors, including current market conditions and strategic shifts within the company, we've made the difficult decision to pivot our focus away from the original scope of Project X. I understand that this news will be disappointing for many of you, especially given the dedication and hard work you've poured into it. Your contributions have been invaluable, and the insights gained from your efforts will absolutely inform our future direction. This was not an easy decision, and it was made with the long-term health and success of our division in mind. We will be holding a team meeting tomorrow at 10 AM to discuss this in more detail, outline the new strategic priorities, and address any questions you may have. I am confident that together, we can channel our collective talent and energy into these new endeavors, ensuring we continue to achieve meaningful outcomes. Thank you for your understanding and continued commitment. Best regards, [Your Name]
Discuss the ethical implications of intentionally disappointing someone to motivate them, using a hypothetical scenario to illustrate your point. Consider both the potential benefits and drawbacks.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Intentionally disappointing someone as a motivational tactic presents a complex ethical dilemma. While a momentary setback might, in theory, spur greater effort, it borders on manipulation and can severely erode trust. Consider a hypothetical scenario where a mentor deliberately withholds praise from a high-achieving mentee, feigning dissatisfaction with their progress, hoping this perceived 'failure' will push them to strive even harder. The supposed benefit is an intensified drive for excellence. However, the drawbacks are significant. Such an act could foster deep resentment, damage the mentee's self-esteem, and create an environment of anxiety rather than genuine growth. The mentee might internalize the disappointment, leading to burnout or a complete loss of confidence. Ethically, it violates principles of honesty and respect. True mentorship should empower through support and constructive feedback, not through engineered disillusionment. The potential short-term gain in performance is rarely worth the long-term damage to the relationship and the mentee's psychological well-being.
What was the primary reason for the audience's disappointment?
Read this passage:
The grand theatrical production, anticipated for months, opened to lukewarm reviews. Critics lauded the ambitious staging and the lead actor's passionate performance, yet universally criticized the convoluted plot and the anticlimactic denouement. Audiences, having invested heavily in pre-booked tickets and high expectations, left the theater with a palpable sense of disappointment, their hopes for a groundbreaking cultural event unfulfilled. The director, initially defiant, later conceded that the creative vision had not fully translated to the stage.
What was the primary reason for the audience's disappointment?
The passage states that critics 'universally criticized the convoluted plot and the anticlimactic denouement,' leading to the audience's 'palpable sense of disappointment' because their 'hopes for a groundbreaking cultural event' were unfulfilled.
The passage states that critics 'universally criticized the convoluted plot and the anticlimactic denouement,' leading to the audience's 'palpable sense of disappointment' because their 'hopes for a groundbreaking cultural event' were unfulfilled.
According to the passage, what can cause disappointment in scientific research?
Read this passage:
In the realm of scientific research, a groundbreaking hypothesis often sparks immense excitement and anticipation within the academic community. However, the rigorous process of peer review and experimental validation frequently brings these initial hopes back to earth. Studies that initially appear revolutionary may fail to replicate, or their underlying assumptions are disproven by subsequent findings. This can lead to a collective disappointment, as researchers must then re-evaluate their understanding and adjust their trajectories, a testament to the self-correcting nature of science.
According to the passage, what can cause disappointment in scientific research?
The passage explicitly states that 'Studies that initially appear revolutionary may fail to replicate, or their underlying assumptions are disproven by subsequent findings. This can lead to a collective disappointment.'
The passage explicitly states that 'Studies that initially appear revolutionary may fail to replicate, or their underlying assumptions are disproven by subsequent findings. This can lead to a collective disappointment.'
What primarily led to the public's disappointment regarding the economic forecast?
Read this passage:
The economic forecast, once glowing with predictions of robust growth and widespread prosperity, underwent a significant revision. Unforeseen global events, coupled with internal market volatility, caused analysts to recalibrate their models. The updated outlook painted a considerably bleaker picture: slower growth, increased unemployment, and persistent inflationary pressures. This abrupt shift from optimism to caution engendered widespread public disappointment, as citizens braced for a period of economic belt-tightening and uncertainty, their aspirations for a rapid recovery dashed by the sobering reality.
What primarily led to the public's disappointment regarding the economic forecast?
The passage states that 'The updated outlook painted a considerably bleaker picture... This abrupt shift from optimism to caution engendered widespread public disappointment, as citizens braced for a period of economic belt-tightening and uncertainty, their aspirations for a rapid recovery dashed by the sobering reality.'
The passage states that 'The updated outlook painted a considerably bleaker picture... This abrupt shift from optimism to caution engendered widespread public disappointment, as citizens braced for a period of economic belt-tightening and uncertainty, their aspirations for a rapid recovery dashed by the sobering reality.'
This sentence describes how a performance met expectations.
This sentence expresses a potential feeling of disappointment.
This sentence emphasizes the need to meet stakeholder expectations.
/ 54 correct
Perfect score!
