dismay 1 of 2

noun

Definition of dismaynext
1
as in disappointment
the emotion felt when one's expectations are not met filled with dismay at not making the finals

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2
as in despair
the state of being discouraged in my dismay I failed to realize that there would be other chances

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

dismay

2 of 2

verb

dis-ˈmā How to pronounce dismay (audio)
1
as in to discourage
to lessen the courage or confidence of the imposing climb up the mountain dismayed us even before we got started

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2
as in to concern
to trouble the mind of; to make uneasy parents who became increasingly dismayed by their son's foundering marriage

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Synonym Chooser

How does the verb dismay contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of dismay are appall, daunt, and horrify. While all these words mean "to unnerve or deter by arousing fear, apprehension, or aversion," dismay implies that one is disconcerted and at a loss as to how to deal with something.

dismayed at the size of the job

When would appall be a good substitute for dismay?

While the synonyms appall and dismay are close in meaning, appall implies that one is faced with that which perturbs, confounds, or shocks.

I am appalled by your behavior

In what contexts can daunt take the place of dismay?

In some situations, the words daunt and dismay are roughly equivalent. However, daunt suggests a cowing, disheartening, or frightening in a venture requiring courage.

a cliff that would daunt the most intrepid climber

Where would horrify be a reasonable alternative to dismay?

The words horrify and dismay can be used in similar contexts, but horrify stresses a reaction of horror or revulsion.

was horrified by such wanton cruelty

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of dismay
Noun
This was key in making the issue Gromit’s problem, exacerbating his sense of isolation and guilt in not being able to express his dismay at Wallace’s amazing new gift. — Bill Desowitz, IndieWire, 10 Feb. 2025 Kendrick Lamar, fresh from winning five Grammys last week, will add his name to this illustrious list in New Orleans, to the dismay of Drake fans. — Eduardo Tansley, The Athletic, 8 Feb. 2025
Verb
European leaders also were dismayed by Trump’s decision to dispatch top aides for preliminary talks with Russian officials in Saudi Arabia without Ukrainian or European officials at the table. — Matthew Lee and Aamer Madhani, Los Angeles Times, 24 Feb. 2025 Comic fans were already unhappy that the Leader’s appearance had been drastically changed from the source material, and some were dismayed to see the character act as a messenger for a vague teaser. — Dani Di Placido, Forbes, 18 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for dismay
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dismay
  1. disappointment
  2. despair
  3. discourage
  4. concern
  5. frustration
  6. frustrate
  7. alarm
  8. dissatisfaction
Noun
  • Sometimes being surprised — whether that’s tinged with joy, anger, disappointment, or another feeling — is more emotionally satisfying than just being right.
    — Proma Khosla, IndieWire, 5 Mar. 2025
  • The casualness of these arrangements, and the lack of standards, can lead to disappointment—and little recourse—when people pay hundreds for coaching that turns out to be lackluster.
    — Olga Khazan, The Atlantic, 5 Mar. 2025
Definition of disappointment
Noun
  • Pop-music history is filled to the brim with breakups — endless tales of heartbreak, vengeance, and despair.
    — Ryan Leas, Vulture, 6 Mar. 2025
  • Late in the film, Erivo has one particularly unforgettable moment of raw, wrenching despair, her wail of grief cutting right through the screen.
    — Sezin Koehler, EW.com, 28 Feb. 2025
Definition of despair
Verb
  • Trump wanted to discourage DEI efforts by corporations and others.
    — Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 9 Mar. 2025
  • None of the other 23 states that allow initiatives, most in the Midwest and West, go so far out of their way to discourage them.
    — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 8 Mar. 2025
Definition of discourage
Verb
  • Plus, top economist Diane Swonk on what most concerns her about the economy right now.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 16 Mar. 2025
  • A couple of neighbors concerned about Nantwi used to attend his court hearings, Ricco said.
    — Nicholas Williams, New York Daily News, 16 Mar. 2025
Definition of concern
Noun
  • While a small sampling, these results offer the latest sign of mounting frustration with the billionaire entrepreneur as he’s become a rising figure in international and American politics.
    — Alex Harring, CNBC, 12 Mar. 2025
  • Often, the urge to control how things unfold leads to frustration, impulsive decisions and unnecessary stress.
    — Mark Travers, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025
Definition of frustration
Verb
  • Struggling to adapt to announcements regarding trade, and whether to treat them as threats that may not evolve into policy, has frustrated Hassane El-Khoury, CEO of ON Semiconductor.
    — Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 7 Mar. 2025
  • The use of generic, impersonal responses frustrates customers.
    — Rob Lancit, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025
Definition of frustrate
Verb
  • Trump has alarmed European allies by appearing to turn toward Moscow, breaking with decades of U.S. foreign policy.
    — Sam Meredith, CNBC, 13 Mar. 2025
  • Kennedy’s reaction to measles outbreaks alarms public health experts because the former lawyer embraces myths that vitamin A and cod liver oil are effective against the virus.
    — Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 13 Mar. 2025
Definition of alarm
Noun
  • While many 1970s counterculture youth viewed Mao-era China as a model for social revolution, young Americans today have mostly avoided identifying with foreign political models despite their historic dissatisfaction with U.S. capitalism.
    — Mark Tseng-Putterman / Made by History, TIME, 10 Mar. 2025
  • While the series has been a huge hit, especially in the , some drivers have openly expressed their dissatisfaction, mainly for the way events and driver relationships are portrayed in a dramatic way.
    — Saajan Jogia, Newsweek, 6 Mar. 2025
Definition of dissatisfaction

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Cite this Entry

“Dismay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dismay. Accessed 20 Mar. 2025.

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