letdowns
Hopes cruelly dashed
Letdowns are disappointments—things that fail to meet expectations.
A movie sequel can be a letdown after the original.
A friend who cancels plans is a letdown.
The word implies anticipation followed by deflation: After all the hype, the concert was a real letdown.
In breastfeeding, letdown refers to the milk ejection reflex, a different and neutral sense.
Fail after promising start
- flopComplete commercial failure
- dudFailed device or effort
- bustFailure or sculpture
- washoutComplete failure or cancellation
non-event · damp squib · anticlimactic · bathos · buildup · hype · overpromised · underwhelmed
Humiliating public failure
- debacleSudden, complete failure
- collapseSudden structural failure
- defeatVictory over another
- downfallSudden loss of power
setback · blunder · misstep · underperformance · misfire · botched · bungled · fumble
Displeasure from blocked efforts
- disillusionmentBitter loss of faith
- regretSorrow over past actions
- dissatisfactionState of being displeased
- unfulfilledNot brought to completion
underwhelming · unsatisfying · chagrin · bitterness · resentment · unhappiness · deflating · crestfallen
Act of leaving permanently
- disloyaltyBreach of allegiance
- unfaithfulnessBreach of romantic commitment
- backstabbingCovert betrayal of trust
- desertionUnlawful abandonment of duty
treachery · two-faced · false promises · unreliable · flakiness · no-show · stood up
Hole from penetration
- flat tireDeflated vehicle wheel
- leakageUnintended fluid escape
- saggingBending downward weakly
- airlessHaving no atmosphere
decompression · slow leak · burst · flattened · tire blowout
fizzle
Fail after promising start
washout · non-event · damp squib · anticlimactic · bathos · buildup · hype · overpromised · underwhelmed · petering out
fiasco
Humiliating public failure
downfall · setback · blunder · misstep · underperformance · misfire · botched · bungled · fumble · strikeout
frustration
Displeasure from blocked efforts
- disillusionmentBitter loss of faith
- regretSorrow over past actions
- dissatisfactionState of being displeased
unfulfilled · underwhelming · unsatisfying · chagrin · bitterness · resentment · unhappiness · deflating · crestfallen · disheartened
abandonment
Act of leaving permanently
- disloyaltyBreach of allegiance
- unfaithfulnessBreach of romantic commitment
- backstabbingCovert betrayal of trust
desertion · treachery · two-faced · false promises · unreliable · flakiness · no-show · stood up
puncture
Hole from penetration
airless · decompression · slow leak · burst · flattened · tire blowout
letdownsoverachievements
Results exceeding all expectations
successes · wins · triumphs · breakthroughs · home runs