displease

verb

dis·​please (ˌ)dis-ˈplēz How to pronounce displease (audio)
displeased; displeasing; displeases

transitive verb

1
: to incur the disapproval or dislike of especially by annoying
their gossip displeases her
2
: to be offensive to
abstract art displeases him

intransitive verb

: to give displeasure
behavior calculated to displease

Examples of displease in a Sentence

her coworkers' tendency to pry displeased her
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
To the surprise of no one, apart from seemingly the International Cricket Council who didn't appear ready for a contingency, India refused to travel to Pakistan, who obviously were displeased and threatened to reciprocate at the 2026 T20 World Cup in India. Tristan Lavalette, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024 The man was captured looking shocked and displeased as a waitress, after being instructed to prank the parent by his family, suddenly pulled his burger and fries dish from under him. Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 28 Nov. 2024 Additionally, Congress has shown a willingness to investigate social media platforms when they’re displeased by alleged content restrictions. Aja Romano, Vox, 7 Dec. 2018 Obeidi imagined two years but, fearful of displeasing Kamel, said one year. Jacques E. C. Hymans, Foreign Affairs, 16 Apr. 2012 See all Example Sentences for displease 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English displesen, from Anglo-French despleisir, desplere, from des- dis- + pleisir to please — more at please

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of displease was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near displease

Cite this Entry

“Displease.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/displease. Accessed 26 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

displease

verb
dis·​please (ˈ)dis-ˈplēz How to pronounce displease (audio)
: to cause to feel disapproval, dislike, or annoyance
was displeased by the delay

More from Merriam-Webster on displease

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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