displeasure

Everyday

A feeling of being annoyed or not satisfied with someone or something. tree →

In the lessons

Rather formal. Used in stories and news: someone shows displeasure with a frown, a sigh or a letter of complaint. In the Bible and old texts: «the king's displeasure» was a danger. Phrases: «show displeasure», «express displeasure», «to someone's displeasure», «incur someone's displeasure».

Examples

• The crowd showed its displeasure by booing. tree →
• Much to my displeasure, it rained all through the holiday. tree →
• The head teacher expressed her displeasure at the mess. tree →
• The cat showed its displeasure by turning its back. tree →
• Parents wrote letters to show their displeasure about the new rules. tree →
• No one wanted to incur the king's displeasure. tree →
• Demeter exercised great severity towards those who incurred her displeasure. tree →

Note

Uncountable. Formal; in speech say «annoyance», «being cross». Opposite: «pleasure». Pronounced dis-PLEZH-er.

In Jewish tradition

In the Torah, it describes God's anger at Israel's sin, as when it sent the spies and the people wept.

Interpretation. The forty years in the desert, one for each day of the spying, are read as a measured punishment for the people's lack of faith.

Examples

• For I was in dread of the anger and hot displeasure, wherewith the LORD was wroth against you to destroy you. (Torah DEU.9.19, JPS 1917) tree →
• After the number of the days in which ye spied out the land, even forty days, for every day a year, shall ye bear your iniquities, even forty years, and ye shall know My displeasure. (Torah NUM.14.34, JPS 1917) tree →
• Then will He speak unto them in His wrath, and affright them in His sore displeasure: (Writings PSA.2.5, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Uncountable. Formal; in speech say «annoyance», «being cross». Opposite: «pleasure». Pronounced dis-PLEZH-er.