displeasing - Definitions from Dictionary.com

4 results for: displeasing

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This

dis·please

Audio Help [dis-pleez] Pronunciation Key verb, -pleased, -pleas·ing.

–verb (used with object)

1.	to incur the dissatisfaction, dislike, or disapproval of; offend; annoy: His reply displeased the judge.

–verb (used without object)

2.	to be unpleasant; cause displeasure: Bad weather displeases.

[Origin: 1300–50; ME desplesen < AF, MF desplaisir. See dis-¹, please

]

—Related forms

dis·pleas·ing·ly, adverb

dis·pleas·ing·ness, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
displeasing

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American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

dis·please Audio Help   (dĭs-plēz') Pronunciation Key
v.   dis·pleased, dis·pleas·ing, dis·pleas·es

v.   tr.
To cause annoyance or vexation to.

v.   intr.
To cause annoyance or displeasure.

[Middle English displesen, from Old French desplaire, desplais-, from Vulgar Latin *displacēre, from Latin displicēre : Latin dis-, dis- + Latin placēre, to please; see please.]

dis·pleas'ing·ly adv.

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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This

displeasing
adjective
causing displeasure or lacking pleasing qualities [ant: pleasing]

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Displeasing

Dis*please"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Displeased; p. pr. & vb. n. Displeasing.] [OF. desplaisir, whence F. d['e]plaisir displeasure; pref. des- (L. dis-) + plaisir to please. See Please, and cf. Displeasure.]

1. To make not pleased; to excite a feeling of disapprobation or dislike in; to be disagreeable to; to offend; to vex; -- often followed by with or at. It usually expresses less than to anger, vex, irritate, or provoke.

God was displeased with this thing. --1 Chron. xxi. 7.

Wilt thou be displeased at us forever? --Psalms lxxxv. 5 (Bk. of Com. Prayer).

This virtuous plaster will displease Your tender sides. --J. Fletcher.

Adversity is so wholesome . . . why should we be displeased therewith? --Barrow.

2. To fail to satisfy; to miss of. [Obs.]

I shall displease my ends else. --Beau. & Fl.

Syn: To offend; disgust; vex; annoy; dissatisfy; chafe; anger; provoke; affront.

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