1
as in disappointment
the emotion felt when one's expectations are not met
filled with dismay at not making the finals
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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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of dismay
Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 29 Sep. 2025
Another parent, while grateful her daughter wasn't hurt, expressed dismay at the situation.
—Doc Louallen, ABC News, 24 Sep. 2025
Emily Brooks, The Hill, 16 Sep. 2025
But she was dismayed to never learn about such things in school.
—Martha Ross, Mercury News, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dismay
Noun
However, Bad Bunny’s discography is notably in Spanish, to the dismay of many right-wing critics, save for a few English lines here and there.
—Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 29 Sep. 2025
Another parent, while grateful her daughter wasn't hurt, expressed dismay at the situation.
—Doc Louallen, ABC News, 24 Sep. 2025
Verb
There were critics of Kirk, too, who said that Kirk’s messages did not improve their lives — but were generally dismayed by the brutal killing.
—Emily Brooks, The Hill, 16 Sep. 2025
But she was dismayed to never learn about such things in school.
—Martha Ross, Mercury News, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dismay
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dismay
Noun
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Several government witnesses filed victim impact statements to Judge Subramanian ahead of Friday's sentencing hearing, including Ventura, who expressed disappointment over Combs' acquittal.—
Isabella Gomez Sarmiento,
NPR,
2 Oct. 2025
-
The remorse, the sorrow, the regret, the disappointment, the shame.—
Lauren del Valle,
CNN Money,
2 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Maybe there will come a time when Reid is comfortable publicly sharing stories about his sister and the despair the family has endured with her loss.—
Jon Krawczynski,
New York Times,
30 Sep. 2025
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But the show's greatest asset is its stars, whose endearing real-life friendship pierces through the play’s inherent despair.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
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However, those notoriously volatile market conditions haven’t discouraged some entrepreneurs.—
Barbara Peterson,
AFAR Media,
6 Oct. 2025
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In states such as Maryland, the role diversity, equity, and inclusion-like policies embedded in federal contract requirements are playing in discouraging development has come into focus as efforts begin to rebuild the Francis Scott Key Bridge.—
Emily Hallas,
The Washington Examiner,
6 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Her attorneys said Ozturk, a Turkish national, spent six weeks in detention for writing an op-ed in her student newspaper the year before that criticized the university’s rejection of student government resolutions concerning Israel’s military campaign in Gaza.—
Aaron Katersky,
ABC News,
30 Sep. 2025
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More concerning still is what the expiration of AGOA portends for the future, the academic believes.—
Kate Nishimura,
Sourcing Journal,
30 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Despite the growing frustration surrounding the play, Payton remains steadfast in his belief that the play should not be outlawed.—
Evan Massey,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Oct. 2025
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New York — An explosion at a New York City apartment building blew off a floor-to-roof chunk of the high-rise – terrifying residents in the Bronx and fueling frustration and outrage as to how this could have happened.—
Holly Yan,
CNN Money,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Keita notes the majority of Africa's population is under 35 years old and millions are unemployed and frustrated with the status quo.—
Emmanuel Akinwotu,
NPR,
2 Oct. 2025
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He may be frustrated by the lack of basic defensive discipline and shape and Messi may shake his head at the incompetence behind him, but the choices made in roster construction just can’t always be compensated for by the boys from Barcelona.—
The Athletic Staff,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Union leaders are also alarmed by new regulations announced Tuesday that increase the minimum number of workers required to form a union from 20 to 50, and raise the maximum number of unions per factory from three to five.—
Mayu Saini,
Sourcing Journal,
2 Oct. 2025
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European leaders, alarmed at the rise in airspace incursions and the security threat that drones pose, proposed building a drone wall to protect the region’s eastern flank against potential attacks and incursions.—
Holly Ellyatt,
CNBC,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
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But while Lamar has mostly used his art to express his sentiments, Bad Bunny has been more overt about his dissatisfaction with the current administration.—
Lisa Respers France,
CNN Money,
29 Sep. 2025
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This type of infidelity can stem from dissatisfaction in the relationship or a desire for something different.—
Melina Khan,
USA Today,
25 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dismay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dismay. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.
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