dismay

1 of 2

verb

dis·​may dis-ˈmā 

diz-

dismayed; dismaying

transitive verb

1

: to cause to lose courage or resolution (as because of alarm or fear)

must not let ourselves be dismayed by the task before us

2

: upset, perturb

were dismayed by the condition of the building

dismay

2 of 2

noun

1

: sudden loss of courage or resolution from alarm or fear

watched with dismay as flames engulfed their home

2

a

: sudden disappointment

announced her retirement, much to the dismay of her fans

b

: perturbation sense 1

expressed dismay at his strange behavior

Synonyms

Verb

• discourage
• frustrate

Noun

• disappointment
• frustration
• dissatisfaction

Choose the Right Synonym for dismay

dismay, appall, horrify, daunt 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

appall implies that one is faced with that which perturbs, confounds, or shocks.

I am appalled by your behavior

horrify stresses a reaction of horror or revulsion.

was horrified by such wanton cruelty

daunt suggests a cowing, disheartening, or frightening in a venture requiring courage.

a cliff that would daunt the most intrepid climber

Examples of dismay in a Sentence

Verb

Her choice of career dismays her parents.

the imposing climb up the mountain dismayed us even before we got started

Noun

His comments were met with cries of dismay.

They watched in dismay as the house burned.

Much to the dismay of her fans, she announced her retirement immediately after the book's release.

To my dismay, I did not get chosen for the job.

We listened with dismay to the news of the accident.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Steve was dismayed to learn that, although Scott’s wallet hadn’t been found, the cliff top hadn’t been treated as a possible crime scene. —The New Yorker, New Yorker, 13 Oct. 2025

The footage sparked outrage and dismay across Israel. —Itay Stern, NPR, 13 Oct. 2025

Noun

While taking part in a video interview with GQ published in March alongside his Mickey 17 director Bong Joon Ho, Pattinson expressed some level of dismay for having to dance for the cameras while acting. —Becca Longmire, PEOPLE, 17 Oct. 2025

Ethan Hawke stars as Lorenz Hart of legendary songsmiths Rodgers & Hart as the prolific partnership disintegrates to his great dismay. —Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 17 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb and Noun

Middle English, from Anglo-French desmaier, from des- dis- + -maier, from Vulgar Latin *-magare, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German magan to be able — more at may entry 1

First Known Use

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for dismay

• airway
• allay
• archway
• array
• ashtray
• astray
• aue
• away
• ballet
• belay
• beltway
• beret

Kids Definition

dismay

1 of 2 verb

dis·​may dis-ˈmā 

diz-

1

: to cause to lose courage or to feel concern : daunt

dismayed by their opponent's size

2

: upset entry 1 sense 2a, perturb

dismayed by the poor turnout

dismayingly

-iŋ-lē 

adverb

dismay

2 of 2 noun

1

: loss of courage or determination from alarm or fear

2

: a feeling of alarm or disappointment