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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Raf Sanchez, NBC news, 19 Mar. 2026
Columbia University's Naftali said the consensus that developed in that era against assassinations was a product of several things, including public dismay over the imperial presidency in the wake of the Vietnam War and the Watergate scandal.
—Ryan Lucas, NPR, 17 Mar. 2026
Literary Hub, 3 Mar. 2026
Those speaking included several parents of students and graduates of the district who voiced their frustration and dismay after learning about the conversation.
—Paula Wethington, CBS News, 26 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dismay
Noun
His comments come as those allies express new dismay over the energy escalation, which has already driven up prices in Europe, and have shown little desire to help unblock the Strait of Hormuz.
—Raf Sanchez, NBC news, 19 Mar. 2026
Columbia University's Naftali said the consensus that developed in that era against assassinations was a product of several things, including public dismay over the imperial presidency in the wake of the Vietnam War and the Watergate scandal.
—Ryan Lucas, NPR, 17 Mar. 2026
Verb
To their surprise and dismay only 1,914 monarchs were counted.
—Literary Hub, 3 Mar. 2026
Those speaking included several parents of students and graduates of the district who voiced their frustration and dismay after learning about the conversation.
—Paula Wethington, CBS News, 26 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dismay
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dismay
Noun
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And sometimes that’s the best catalyst for a good season is the disappointment of the year before at the end but also the confidence that the season gave them.—
Meghan Montemurro,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Mar. 2026
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Los Angeles Chargers The Chargers once again faced disappointment in the playoffs stemming from injuries to starting tackles Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The researchers also say that the intervention appeared to change the model’s internal activations (which might suggest the expressions indicate something akin to real emotions) and not just the expression of despair.—
Jeremy Kahn,
Fortune,
24 Mar. 2026
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As is the band’s custom, the lyrics might evoke despair, but the furnace of hooks and harmonies suggests total emotional overload is its own kind of salvation.—
Nina Corcoran,
Pitchfork,
23 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Mention cutting toxic people out of your life (but don’t reveal that the people in question are your friends who, at lunch, discouraged you from posting that).—
Emily Menez,
New Yorker,
31 Mar. 2026
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Within days, China’s surprise intervention in the deal quickly shattered that hope, as Beijing stepped up efforts to discourage Chinese AI founders from moving their businesses offshore.—
Dylan Butts,
CNBC,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
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At Dillon Reservoir, low snowpack paints a concerning picture, with statewide levels dipping to record lows.—
Spencer Wilson,
CBS News,
25 Mar. 2026
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Investigators are examining suspicions of bribery involving a foreign public official and complicity which concerns former French diplomat Fabrice Aidan.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
24 Mar. 2026
Noun
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But Apple shut down Dark Sky in 2023, prompting an online outcry, and Grossman eventually left out of frustration with Apple’s sluggish corporate schedule of annual software updates.—
Kyle Chayka,
New Yorker,
25 Mar. 2026
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Luz Diaz Luz Diaz took her frustration to Hackensack City Hall on Tuesday evening.—
Adi Guajardo,
CBS News,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Fans are entitled to want to be entertained, and to be frustrated that the European campaign has been a struggle, as well as by the problems Palace have endured when confronted by 10 men on several occasions of late.—
Matt Woosnam,
New York Times,
25 Mar. 2026
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Were there any points when reading the script that you were frustrated with her for not questioning him at all?—
Arushi Jacob,
Variety,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
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And according to a sweeping new joint report from Accenture and the Wharton School, the humans running them are falling behind in a way that should alarm every boardroom in America.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
26 Mar. 2026
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The conflict has alarmed the international community, particularly as the area is one where other militant organizations, including al-Qaida and the Islamic State group, still have a presence and have been trying to resurface.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Their dissatisfaction stems in part from Arirang’s failure to make the most of an attempt at fusing strip- and EDM-club aesthetics to the insistent word repetition of the K-pop generation prior to BTS.—
Craig Jenkins,
Vulture,
24 Mar. 2026
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One thing that remains consistent throughout is our protagonist Carol (Elizabeth Banks) and her dissatisfaction with her life.—
Katie Rife,
IndieWire,
18 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dismay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dismay. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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