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
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of dismay
Helen Branswell, STAT, 2 Mar. 2026
His Health Secretary, Robert F Kennedy Jr, an advocate of healthy eating, has repeatedly expressed his dismay at his boss’s diet.
—Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 28 Feb. 2026
Peter Larsen, Daily News, 25 Feb. 2026
Self, whose team entered with a 12-1 home record that included six wins against no losses in conference play, was dismayed by the Bearcats’ 40-29 rebound advantage.
—Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 21 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dismay
Noun
In a pair of recent interviews with STAT, Plotkin expressed dismay at seeing the achievements of his career and his field slip away.
—Helen Branswell, STAT, 2 Mar. 2026
His Health Secretary, Robert F Kennedy Jr, an advocate of healthy eating, has repeatedly expressed his dismay at his boss’s diet.
—Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 28 Feb. 2026
Verb
Fans of the three newscast veterans were dismayed by the news that quickly flowed onto social media channels.
—Peter Larsen, Daily News, 25 Feb. 2026
Self, whose team entered with a 12-1 home record that included six wins against no losses in conference play, was dismayed by the Bearcats’ 40-29 rebound advantage.
—Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 21 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dismay
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dismay
Noun
-
But economists expressed disappointment over the government’s limited stimulus.—
John Liu,
CNN Money,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Planners and floral designers, for example, note that photos produced by AI can often lead to disappointment for their clients.—
Shelby Wax,
Vogue,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Since 2024, a number of lawsuits have alleged that extensive use of the technology has inflicted a range of harms on children and adults alike, fostering delusions and despair for some and leading others to death by suicide and even murder-suicide.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
4 Mar. 2026
-
These protests, born of repression, corruption and economic despair, are a legitimate demand for dignity and for a secular, democratic republic.—
Jalil Pakray,
Sun Sentinel,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Meanwhile, the oil and gas industry has opposed the environmental groups’ stance, arguing that the current proposal would discourage an already declining refinery sector from continuing to operate in California, advocating for more flexible rules on the cap.—
Chaewon Chung
March 9,
Sacbee.com,
9 Mar. 2026
-
If using fencing, an electric wire at the top and bottom of fencing can discourage coyotes but won’t harm them, says Owen.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Legislators in 16 states have introduced bills this year that would limit education technology, or ed tech, in public schools, spurred by a growing grassroots movement of parents concerned about the amount of time their children are spending on screens.—
Tyler Kingkade,
NBC news,
10 Mar. 2026
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Storm chances will gradually decrease after midnight; the most concerning window for severe storms and tornadoes is Tuesday evening.—
Albert Ramon,
CBS News,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
There was a crisp new poster on the easel at the Werth practice facility that displayed the Big East Tournament trophy, not yet mauled in frustration and held together by tape like the regular-season version had been.—
Joe Arruda,
Hartford Courant,
10 Mar. 2026
-
The cost of parking, and parking tickets, has long been a frustration for state workers who commute to downtown Sacramento.—
William Melhado,
Sacbee.com,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Californians are increasingly aware of this imbalance and frustrated about it.—
Jerry McNerney,
Mercury News,
4 Mar. 2026
-
There’s resistance to filmmakers coming in and telling the story of bears dying from climate change, and this trope that Inuit are frustrated by, and rightfully so.—
Christopher Vourlias,
Variety,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The statistics should alarm anyone concerned about American AI leadership.—
Eric Schmidt,
Fortune,
6 Mar. 2026
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Those conflicts, however, did not initially appear serious enough to alarm adults around them.—
Isabella Wandermurem,
Time,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
That powder-keg moment quickly spread nationwide, reflecting widespread dissatisfaction with a regime that has systematically devastated the country while clinging to its rigid ideology.—
Lily Moayeri,
Rolling Stone,
3 Mar. 2026
-
Democrats hope that dissatisfaction will translate to voters, with Republicans looking to stave off losses in November.—
From Staff Reports,
Dallas Morning News,
3 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dismay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dismay. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
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