dismay 1 of 2

dismay

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verb

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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
Courtesy of Hulu, the Season 7 trailer reveals the return of Caitlyn Jenner visiting the Kardashian-Jenner family before selling their family house, much to Kris Jenner’s dismay. Leia Mendoza, Variety, 1 Oct. 2025 Still, the Dolphins allowed the Jets to produce 404 total yards in the season’s first win, and to Weaver’s dismay, a season-high 197 of those yards were on the ground. Miami Herald, 30 Sep. 2025
Verb
Some say the threat of mass layoffs could be a tactic to pressure Democrats already dismayed by the shrinking federal workforce. Matt Egan, CNN Money, 29 Sep. 2025 Golf fans took to social media to express their surprise and dismay over McMahan’s chant. Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 28 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for dismay
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dismay
Noun
  • Once Twenty Twenty Six airs and when the drama (and most likely disappointment) of next year’s World Cup has worn off, thoughts from his devoted following of fans may turn to what Morton does next with Ian Fletcher, this most malleable of characters.
    Max Goldbart, Deadline, 9 Oct. 2025
  • That might be a disappointment in most NFL cities but is considered progress in San Francisco, where special teams has been a consistent issue.
    Matt Barrows, New York Times, 9 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • There is no faster poison than despair declared permanent.
    Mohammed R. Mhawish, New Yorker, 14 Oct. 2025
  • The opening introduces her character aglow in red light, complemented by a narrated monologue, vaguely written but delivered as pure, possibly suicidal despair.
    J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 11 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • That same year, millions of plaintiffs filed an antitrust class action lawsuit seeking over $1 billion in damages that alleged Sutter Health overcharged customers and companies for health care bills and discouraged clients from using other lower-cost services.
    Kyle Martin, Mercury News, 13 Oct. 2025
  • Meanwhile, Beijing has reportedly been discouraging local firms from buying Nvidia chips.
    Arjun Kharpal, CNBC, 10 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Returning to the present, the Times wants to depose Lyons and ask for his testimony concerning his conversations with Christian Spears and meetings between athletics department staff and players.
    Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 14 Oct. 2025
  • Many were concerned the facility would consume huge amounts of water and electricity while delivering few local benefits.
    Michael Copley, NPR, 14 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • That doesn’t mean Ohtani’s frustrations aren’t bleeding through.
    Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
  • Bergeron said producers broke an agreement to avoid partisan bookings, prompting him to publicly voice his frustration.
    Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Laurene Allen, an environmental advocate who lives in Merrimack, New Hampshire, where PFNA was one of several forever chemicals discovered in drinking water in 2016, was awaiting the report and is frustrated and enraged by its delay.
    Sharon Lerner, ProPublica, 10 Oct. 2025
  • The heated debate around the City Hall Project and picking apart the budget were two experiences in particular that frustrated Nguyen.
    Taylor O'Connor, Kansas City Star, 9 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Browning has thrown eight interceptions in four starts, which was alarming enough for the Bengals to make a move.
    James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Oct. 2025
  • Nigin told her later that, yes, she had been alarmed by the cut but had resolved to check on her students.
    Hilary Whiteman, CNN Money, 3 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The desire for a facelift stemmed from a growing dissatisfaction with her appearance in pictures.
    Starr Bowenbank, PEOPLE, 14 Oct. 2025
  • Kalaja’s killing quickly became a lightning rod for nationwide dissatisfaction with the Albanian judiciary.
    Beth Bailey, FOXNews.com, 11 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Dismay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dismay. Accessed 16 Oct. 2025.

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