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
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Recent Examples of dismay
Tressie McMillan Cottom, Mercury News, 7 Feb. 2026
In a Friday letter to Trump, 18 Senate and House members expressed dismay that the president had not agreed to Russia’s offer to observe the agreement for another year.
—Ellen Mitchell, The Hill, 6 Feb. 2026
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 25 Jan. 2026
Many faith leaders were dismayed when the government announced last January that federal immigration agencies can make arrests in churches, schools and hospitals, ending the protection of people in sensitive spaces.
—CBS News, 22 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dismay
Noun
Pretti’s killing, in particular, struck a chord of dismay with a cross section of Americans.
—Tressie McMillan Cottom, Mercury News, 7 Feb. 2026
In a Friday letter to Trump, 18 Senate and House members expressed dismay that the president had not agreed to Russia’s offer to observe the agreement for another year.
—Ellen Mitchell, The Hill, 6 Feb. 2026
Verb
But that leaves us with some of these crimes that are just as likely to drive people out of the city or dismay people from even visiting the city.
—Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 25 Jan. 2026
Many faith leaders were dismayed when the government announced last January that federal immigration agencies can make arrests in churches, schools and hospitals, ending the protection of people in sensitive spaces.
—CBS News, 22 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dismay
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dismay
Noun
-
Fully aware of how costly the mistake was, Glenn couldn’t hide her disappointment immediately after hitting her final pose, grimacing and trying to hold back her emotions.—
Alice Park,
Time,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Parents and faculty expressed shock and disappointment, citing the program's high quality, affordability and diversity.—
Kathryn Muchnick,
Louisville Courier Journal,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
That this administration can reasonably be viewed as a criminal enterprise should not be cause for despair.—
James Speyer,
New York Daily News,
18 Feb. 2026
-
There are moments where the album’s tone skews leaden, where Shaw positions us right on the edge of despair.—
Linnie Greene,
Pitchfork,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Some social media comments suggested that a Sunday afternoon start and ticket prices that were said to start at $900 discouraged people from showing up.—
Jim Alexander,
Oc Register,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Difficult or impossible claim process Pre-authorizations, limited repair-shop options, and long wait times are tactics often used to make the claims process feel impossible or to discourage them altogether.—
Sharon Brandwein,
USA Today,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Even before revelations about the emails, there were tensions between Wasserman and some Los Angeles politicians concerned that financial shortfalls in staging the $7-billion Summer Games will need to be covered by local taxpayers.—
Dakota Smith,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Feb. 2026
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Turns out, his son was concerned for the safety of his classmates from Guatemala and Cambodia.—
Alisha Ebrahimji,
CNN Money,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Rosen has voiced frustration with the prospect of having supported Measure A and still bracing for heavy cuts to his office.—
Robert Salonga,
Mercury News,
18 Feb. 2026
-
The year before, Jackson had been involved in a demonstration that closed part of the Dan Ryan Expressway, a mass expression of frustration over gun violence.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Many Japanese, frustrated by China's growing assertiveness, welcomed her comments on Taiwan.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Many Democrats are frustrated Other polling suggests that Democrats’ post-2024 slump is unusually large.—
Linley Sanders,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
But that's not really what alarms me, someone making money off of military advancements.—
Dana Taylor,
USA Today,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Officials across the country received the invitation, which has alarmed some of its recipients, according to numerous media outlets.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
There’s also been studies, many of which are smaller and more preliminary, showing the benefits of floating for conditions such as insomnia, body image dissatisfaction among people with anorexia, meth dependence and pain intensity, such as the stress placed on the body after a high-impact workout.—
Shelby Hartman,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Feb. 2026
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In one case, a rival faction competing for representation rights through posturing and pandering — more than genuine employee dissatisfaction with Isom, who is anecdotally beloved by his employees.—
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld,
Fortune,
16 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dismay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dismay. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
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