dismays; dismayed; dismaying
: to cause (someone) to feel very worried, disappointed, or upset
Her choice of career dismays her parents.
What especially dismayed [=upset, bothered] me was that no one else protested.
: a strong feeling of being worried, disappointed, or upset
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.
Cite this Entry
“Dismay.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/dismay. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.
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