1
as in bleak
causing or marked by an atmosphere lacking in cheer
a suitably dismal setting for a haunted house
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in depressing
causing unhappiness
the dismal failure of our hopes for the championship
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3
as in terrible
extremely unsatisfactory
the quarterback's dismal performance suggested that he had not fully recovered from his recent injury
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of dismal
Fertility and maternal health investments—dismal to begin with—are now being slashed.
—
Dawn Huckelbridge, Glamour, 11 May 2025
In multimillion-dollar building, formerly homeless people face ‘dismal’ conditions, suit says.
—Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2025
But both parties have lost support since their already dismal performances in February, with the far-right Alternative for Germany, which came in second, topping some recent surveys.
—Kirsti Knolle, USA Today, 7 May 2025
As a team, the Heat put together a dismal offensive effort that included only 83 points on 36 percent shooting from the field and 10-of-49 (20.4 percent) shooting on threes.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 29 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dismal
Dawn Huckelbridge, Glamour, 11 May 2025
In multimillion-dollar building, formerly homeless people face ‘dismal’ conditions, suit says.
—Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2025
But both parties have lost support since their already dismal performances in February, with the far-right Alternative for Germany, which came in second, topping some recent surveys.
—Kirsti Knolle, USA Today, 7 May 2025
As a team, the Heat put together a dismal offensive effort that included only 83 points on 36 percent shooting from the field and 10-of-49 (20.4 percent) shooting on threes.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 29 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dismal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dismal
Adjective
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This bleak vision of Hollywood makes for a fascinating backdrop.—
Inkoo Kang,
New Yorker,
5 May 2025
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The wildest thing about these bleak anti-meet cutes is that no one does this on purpose.—
Alex Abad-Santos,
Vox,
3 May 2025
Adjective
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Instead, Chernow devotes a hefty portion of his 1,039 pages (excluding notes) to Twain’s personal tribulations, a depressing series of bungles and calamities starting in the author’s middle age.—
Graeme Wood,
The Atlantic,
9 May 2025
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The lack of business on Sunday and Monday nights could be especially depressing.—
Stephanie Breijo,
Los Angeles Times,
8 May 2025
Adjective
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Transgender kids, especially under the current president, are facing terrible rights losses and bigotry.—
Letters to the Editor,
The Orlando Sentinel,
10 May 2025
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Such legislation is meant to destabilize Pakistan’s internal politics, which is in no one’s interests, except those who promoted such a terrible idea in the first place.—
Christopher Shays,
New York Daily News,
10 May 2025
Adjective
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Large amounts of larvae were in dark crevices inside the homes, including under appliances or furniture.—
Nicole Blanchard,
Idaho Statesman,
10 May 2025
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Where to watch: Max 'Another Simple Favor' In Paul Feig's dark comedy mystery sequel, crime-solving mommy vlogger Stephanie (Anna Kendrick) is shocked when fresh-out-of-jail frenemy Emily (Blake Lively) invites her to be maid of honor at her wedding in Capri.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
10 May 2025
Adjective
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For someone who prizes roadside Americana, this is the visual version of the sad trombone sound.—
Christopher Reynolds,
Los Angeles Times,
15 May 2025
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After the show, there's booze, girls, and hotel suites, but Abel's locked in the bathroom, being sad.—
Jordan Hoffman,
EW.com,
15 May 2025
Adjective
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However, her tragic demise spooks and haunts Jen, since her death is incredibly horrible and sad, rocking the whole Capesode community.—
Lisa Stardust,
People.com,
14 May 2025
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Jurors viewed for a fifth time in two days the video footage of the horrible beating that followed.—
Kevin Dolak,
HollywoodReporter,
13 May 2025
Adjective
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That’s the question writer-director Ari Aster’s somber comedy-Western Eddington, playing in competition here at the Cannes Film Festival, appears to be asking.—
Stephanie Zacharek,
Time,
17 May 2025
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Rayburn partners up with local sheriff Alice Gustafson (Annabelle Wallis) in a somber yet tumultuous pursuit of a killer who uses brutal traps and primal tactics.—
Travis Bean,
Forbes.com,
17 May 2025
Adjective
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No other governor, remember, has tried to pull off this pathetic budget stunt.—
Joe Soucheray,
Twin Cities,
10 May 2025
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In his last, most pathetic years, Mark Twain threw himself behind the crackpot theory that the true author of Shakespeare’s plays may have been Francis Bacon.—
Graeme Wood,
The Atlantic,
9 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dismal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dismal. Accessed 23 May. 2025.
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