DISAPPOINTING

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does disappointing mean? 

• DISAPPOINTING (adjective)
  The adjective DISAPPOINTING has 1 sense:

1. not up to expectations

  Familiarity information: DISAPPOINTING used as an adjective is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• DISAPPOINTING (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Not up to expectations

Synonyms:

disappointing; dissatisfactory; unsatisfying

Context example:

a disappointing performance from one who had seemed so promising

Similar:

unsatisfactory (not giving satisfaction)

 Context examples 

When I am very disappointing, say, “I knew, a long time ago, that she would make but a child-wife!”

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

“Not at all,” was her answer; “but depend upon it, he means to be severe on us, and our surest way of disappointing him will be to ask nothing about it.”

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)

Yes, sir, and it has proved most disappointing.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

This is a very Capricornian mood, so go with the flow even if it feels a little limiting or disappointing.

(AstrologyZone.com, by Susan Miller)

However, pharmaceutical approaches to reduce heart disease risk by raising HDL levels have had disappointing results.

(When HDL cholesterol doesn’t protect against heart disease, NIH)

Upon my word, cried Miss Crawford, you are two of the most disappointing and unfeeling kind friends I ever met with!

(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)

The first page was disappointing, however, as it contained nothing but the picture of a very fat man in a pea-jacket, with the legend, "Jimmy Colver on the Mail-boat," written beneath it.

(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Colonel Brandon again repeated his sorrow at being the cause of disappointing the party; but at the same time declared it to be unavoidable.

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)

Even if this family, the Braithwaites, are put off, I am still afraid that some excuse may be found for disappointing us.

(Emma, by Jane Austen)

Laurie spoke very fast, and turned red and excited all in a minute, for he had kept his plot a secret, for fear of disappointing the girls or harming Beth.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)