1
as in disappointment
the emotion felt when one's expectations are not met
filled with dismay at not making the finals
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in despair
the state of being discouraged
in my dismay I failed to realize that there would be other chances
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of dismay
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 5 Apr. 2025
Much to his dismay, though, the Elimination Challenge is to create a tasting menu based on pickles — a food Tristen apparently loathes.
—Caroline Framke, Vulture, 18 Apr. 2025
Kayla Bartsch, National Review, 11 Apr. 2025
So the former Maryland center was dismayed to see how a two-week kerfuffle at his former school resulted in the departures of athletic director Damon Evans, men’s basketball coach Kevin Willard and five players.
—Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 1 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dismay
Noun
There’s no dismay in sight in 2025, only more promises of tax breaks for the wealthy that the U.S. budget deficit cannot afford.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 5 Apr. 2025
Much to his dismay, though, the Elimination Challenge is to create a tasting menu based on pickles — a food Tristen apparently loathes.
—Caroline Framke, Vulture, 18 Apr. 2025
Verb
On a particularly hectic morning — with a baby strapped to her chest — Connell was dismayed to find that her husband had not accomplished his usual morning tasks of emptying the dishwasher and taking out the trash.
—Kayla Bartsch, National Review, 11 Apr. 2025
So the former Maryland center was dismayed to see how a two-week kerfuffle at his former school resulted in the departures of athletic director Damon Evans, men’s basketball coach Kevin Willard and five players.
—Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 1 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dismay
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dismay
Noun
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More than two decades of disappointment, playoff droughts and heartbreak led to this jubilant moment as thousands of fans turned Midtown Manhattan into a modern-day Woodstock.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
17 May 2025
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The stakes are high for a Toronto team with a history of postseason disappointment, and James Mirtle thinks Wednesday’s ugly loss could be their worst yet.—
Sarah Jean Maher,
New York Times,
16 May 2025
Noun
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Democrats and Republicans alike would do well to recognize that increasing polarization is the most likely result of aggressive posturing, spinning us into doom loops of despair.—
Timothy Shriver,
Chicago Tribune,
8 May 2025
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Is now a time for optimism or despair over Israel’s environmental record?—
JTA Staff Report,
Sun Sentinel,
5 May 2025
Verb
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This could discourage aggressive use, especially if there is concern over accountability or the risk of losing valuable hardware.—
Vikram Mittal,
Forbes.com,
8 May 2025
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The primary reason for the 10-minute time limit is to discourage loitering, Heinzelman said.—
Andrew J. Campa,
Los Angeles Times,
7 May 2025
Verb
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All of these trends are concerning for a soon-to-be-32-year-old pitcher in the second season of a seven-year, $172 million contract.—
Matt Gelb,
New York Times,
15 May 2025
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The warning was released on Thursday at 9:12 a.m., and the last update concerning this incident was provided on Thursday at 9:36 a.m.—
Kansas City Star Bot,
Kansas City Star,
15 May 2025
Noun
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Particularly if Devers' frustration in Boston grows.—
Peter Chawaga,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 May 2025
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The night was maddening enough that, after the sixth inning, Dodgers pitching coach Mark Prior was ejected for expressing his frustration with home-plate umpire Jeremie Rehak’s strike zone — the first ejection of Prior’s baseball life.—
Fabian Ardaya,
New York Times,
10 May 2025
Verb
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Restaurateur Tasha Cyril is sometimes frustrated by the popularity of the turkey wings at her scene-centric Buckhead bar and lounge.—
Mike Jordan,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
2 May 2025
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Soon after, news broke that midfield star Gio Reyna — whose lack of utilization was a common talking point during the team’s run — had frustrated his teammates with a lack of effort in training before the opening match against Wales.—
Jeff Rueter,
New York Times,
30 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The rapid expansion of the Camp House Fire, Jenkins Creek Fire and Munger Shaw Fire has alarmed officials.—
Anna Skinner,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 May 2025
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Democrats and some Republicans are also alarmed over the ethics of accepting such an expensive gift from a foreign country.—
Jeremy Bogaisky,
Forbes.com,
14 May 2025
Noun
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As the moon and sun harmonize, pinpoint the source of your dissatisfaction.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
7 May 2025
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While the decision is ultimately yours, trusted observers might notice patterns of dissatisfaction, your talents being underutilized, or personality mismatches with bosses or colleagues that no longer register for you.—
Cynthia Pong,
CNBC,
5 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dismay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dismay. Accessed 21 May. 2025.
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