What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
disappointingly
Example
The movie was disappointingly predictable. [disappointingly: adverb]
Example
Disappointingly, the team lost the game in the final minutes. [disappointingly: adverb]
unfortunately
Example
Unfortunately, I won't be able to attend the party this weekend. [unfortunately: adverb]
Example
The weather forecast is predicting rain for the entire week, unfortunately. [unfortunately: adverb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Unfortunately is more commonly used than disappointingly in everyday language, especially in formal writing or speech. Disappointingly is less common and is typically used in more informal or conversational contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between disappointingly and unfortunately?
Unfortunately is considered more formal than disappointingly. It is often used in academic or professional writing, while disappointingly is more casual and conversational in tone.