teleurstellende

Teleurstellende is a Dutch adjective meaning "disappointing" or "likely to cause disappointment." It is used to describe people, events, results, performances, or objects that fail to meet expectations. The word is derived from the verb teleurstellen (to disappoint) and the noun teleurstelling (disappointment).

In usage, teleurstellende describes a noun and is most common in attributive position before the noun, for example teleurstellende resultaten (disappointing results) or een teleurstellende prestatie (a disappointing performance). The adjective agrees with the noun in number and definiteness, typically taking an -e ending in the common usage before a definite or indefinite singular noun, and retains -e in plural forms (teleurstellende resultaten).

Teleurstellende can also function predicatively after a linking verb: De resultaten zijn teleurstellend. In this position, the base form teleurstellend remains invariable with the subject and complements.

Semantic range and nuance include mild to strong disappointment, depending on context. The term is common in media, reviews, reports, and everyday speech, where it conveys a sense of unmet expectations without attributing blame.

Related terms include teleurstelling (disappointment) and teleurstellen (to disappoint). In contrastive or comparative constructions, speakers might use expressions like meer teleurstellend (more disappointing), though the standard form for comparatives can vary by context.

See also: teleurstelling, teleurstellen.