displease
C1Formal, sometimes literary.
Definition
Meaning
To cause someone to feel annoyance, dissatisfaction, or mild anger; to fail to satisfy.
To offend or to be unsatisfactory to someone's taste, morals, or standards, often resulting in disapproval or displeasure. Can imply a reaction to something aesthetically, morally, or practically unsatisfactory.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
"Displease" is a more formal alternative to "annoy" or "upset." It often describes a reaction to something that is unsatisfactory or offensive, rather than a direct provocation. The state of being displeased is "displeasure." It can be used in passive constructions (e.g., 'I was displeased...') and is less intense than 'anger' or 'enrage.'
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. The frequency of use is similar, though possibly slightly more common in formal British writing.
Connotations
In both varieties, the word carries a formal, somewhat restrained connotation, often associated with official or polite disapproval.
Frequency
Low frequency in casual speech in both varieties; more common in formal writing, legal contexts, and literature.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[SVO] The decision displeased the committee.[SVO + with] His attitude displeased me.[Passive] She was displeased by the delay.[It + V + O + that-clause] It displeases me that they ignored the rules.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “To court displeasure (to act in a way likely to cause disapproval).”
- “Much to someone's displeasure (causing someone significant annoyance).”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Formal reports or feedback: "The proposed budget cuts are likely to displease the stakeholders."
Academic
Literary or historical analysis: "The king's new taxes greatly displeased the merchant class."
Everyday
Rare in casual speech; a formal alternative: "I hope my comments didn't displease you."
Technical
Rare. May appear in user experience (UX) contexts: "A cluttered interface will displease users."
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The referee's decision is sure to displease the home fans.
- He took care not to displease his elderly aunt.
- It would displease Her Majesty if the ceremony were rushed.
American English
- The new policy is likely to displease a number of voters.
- I didn't want to displease my professor with a late paper.
- The architect's modern design displeased the traditionalist town council.
adverb
British English
- He shook his head displeasedly at the suggestion.
- She glanced displeasedly at the noisy children.
American English
- The coach frowned displeasedly from the sidelines.
- He muttered displeasedly under his breath.
adjective
British English
- The manager looked decidedly displeased with the sales figures.
- A displeased murmur ran through the crowd.
- She gave a displeased sigh at the untidy room.
American English
- He had a displeased expression when he saw the bill.
- The client's displeased feedback was noted by the team.
- A displeased customer is bad for business.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The loud music displeased our neighbours.
- My mum was displeased when I came home late.
- The team's poor performance displeased the coach.
- It displeases me to see food wasted.
- The council's plans for the new road have displeased local residents.
- He was visibly displeased by the lack of progress in the negotiations.
- The minister's cavalier attitude towards the scandal greatly displeased the prime minister.
- Her acerbic critique of the novel displeased its devoted admirers.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: DIS (not) + PLEASE. If you do NOT PLEASE someone, you DISPLEASE them.
Conceptual Metaphor
PLEASURE/APPROVAL IS A PHYSICAL FORCE OR SUBSTANCE (to give/withhold pleasure); DISPLEASURE IS A NEGATIVE REACTION (to cause a negative emotional state).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with "disappoint" (разочаровывать). "Displease" is closer to "вызывать недовольство/раздражение."
- The adjective "displeased" is often translated as "недовольный," but it can imply a stronger, more formal dissatisfaction than просто "недовольный."
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: "She displeased with the service." Correct: "She *was* displeased with the service." (needs passive/adj form).
- Overuse in casual contexts where 'annoyed' or 'upset' is more natural.
- Confusing 'displease' (cause annoyance) with 'dispose' (arrange or incline).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the closest in meaning to 'displease' in a formal context?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is relatively formal and less common in casual conversation. Words like 'annoy', 'upset', or 'bother' are more frequently used.
It is primarily used with a human (or personified) object. You displease a person, a group, or an authority. You wouldn't typically say 'The weather displeased me,' though it's grammatically possible; 'disappointed' or 'annoyed me' would be more natural.
The noun form is 'displeasure' (e.g., 'He voiced his displeasure at the decision').
'Displeased' suggests a milder, often more formal or controlled form of annoyance or dissatisfaction. 'Angry' implies a stronger, more emotional reaction. A boss might be 'displeased' with a report, but 'angry' about a serious mistake.