DISMAY Synonyms: 203 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'dismay' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of dismay are appall , daunt , and horrify . While all these words mean "to unnerve or deter by arousing fear, apprehension, or aversion," dismay implies that one is disconcerted and at a loss as to how to deal with something. // dismayed at the size of the job

Q: When would 'appall' be a good substitute for 'dismay'?

While the synonyms appall and dismay are close in meaning, appall implies that one is faced with that which perturbs, confounds, or shocks. // I am appalled by your behavior

Q: In what contexts can 'daunt' take the place of 'dismay'?

In some situations, the words daunt and dismay are roughly equivalent. However, daunt suggests a cowing, disheartening, or frightening in a venture requiring courage. // a cliff that would daunt the most intrepid climber

Q: Where would 'horrify' be a reasonable alternative to 'dismay'?

The words horrify and dismay can be used in similar contexts, but horrify stresses a reaction of horror or revulsion. // was horrified by such wanton cruelty

dismay 1 of 2

noun

Definition of dismay

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

as in despair

the state of being discouraged in my dismay I failed to realize that there would be other chances

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

dismay

2 of 2

verb

dis-ˈmā

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

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

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb dismay contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of dismay are appall, daunt, and horrify. While all these words mean "to unnerve or deter by arousing fear, apprehension, or aversion," dismay implies that one is disconcerted and at a loss as to how to deal with something.

dismayed at the size of the job

When would appall be a good substitute for dismay?

While the synonyms appall and dismay are close in meaning, appall implies that one is faced with that which perturbs, confounds, or shocks.

I am appalled by your behavior

In what contexts can daunt take the place of dismay?

In some situations, the words daunt and dismay are roughly equivalent. However, daunt suggests a cowing, disheartening, or frightening in a venture requiring courage.

a cliff that would daunt the most intrepid climber

Where would horrify be a reasonable alternative to dismay?

The words horrify and dismay can be used in similar contexts, but horrify stresses a reaction of horror or revulsion.

was horrified by such wanton cruelty

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of dismay

Noun

Russia's surprise return to the table sparked dismay among European officials, who opposed appearing with Siluanov in the traditional G20 photo, which was ultimately taken without the Russian minister. — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 1 Sep. 2026 Sig Hansen is expressing his dismay after a deckhand asked to return home on the latest episode of Deadliest Catch. — Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Aug. 2026

Verb

But so dismayed that the state was so delinquent in doing this. — Chicago Tribune, 6 Aug. 2026 Members of the public are often shocked and dismayed when juries deadlock or acquit high-profile defendants. — Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 27 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for dismay

Recent Examples of Synonyms for dismay

Noun

Chubb was a slight disappointment in his Bills debut from a pass-rushing perspective.

— Joe Buscaglia, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026
And Harvey faces his overbearing father’s disappointment most glaringly with the public humiliation of an emotional breakdown while taking part in an amateur wrestling match the bodybuilder entered to prove his physical strength.

— Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of disappointment

Noun

Churches are supposed to be off-limits for Immigration and Customs Enforcement, but that has meant little to a community that often turns to God and worship in times of despair.

— Lauren Costantino September 19, Miami Herald, 19 Sep. 2026
What follows is an escalation of death and despair for all parties involved.

— Jourdain Searles, HollywoodReporter, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of despair

Verb

While experts recognize the immense scientific potential of the findings, some warn that the ability to create hybrid mouse-human cortical brain cells could bring us closer than ever to a concerning ethical boundary.

— Mike McRae September 17, New Atlas, 17 Sep. 2026
Aero Plantation’s roads are privately owned and maintained by the neighborhood, a distinction residents cited in explaining why outside traffic concerns them.

— Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of concern

Noun

Officials familiar with the higher casualty number expressed frustration that the additional loss of life is not reflected in the Pentagon's public casualty portal.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 19 Sep. 2026
Because the therapy is off-label, insurance routinely denies coverage, forcing clinicians and patients to improvise — a frustration that Dombo experienced firsthand.

— Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 19 Sep. 2026

Definition of frustration

Verb

Some in Namatsokha, Nabutsilili's village, recalled a recent incident when work at a construction site was frustrated by persistent rain only at the scene.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 20 Sep. 2026
What comes next When the council publicly revisited the issue last week — for the first time in months — they were frustrated.

— Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 20 Sep. 2026

Definition of frustrate

Verb

The constant delay-of-game calls, false starts and inability to get lined up are a special level of alarming for a quarterback who entered the NFL 10 years ago.

— Jason Lloyd, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026
Americans appear increasingly alarmed by the technology,with 7 in 10 polled in March opposing local construction of data centers that power AI technology, according to a Gallup survey.

— Rebecca Ellis, Los Angeles Times, 13 Sep. 2026

Definition of alarm

Noun

There is already a feeling among many supporters that the time spent poring over marginal decisions — all those interminable stoppages for calls that are going to cause dissatisfaction, whatever the outcome — is far too much.

— Oliver Kay, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026
At the same time, dissatisfaction has increased to a high of 67%.

— Jocelyn Gecker, Los Angeles Times, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of dissatisfaction

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dismantling

dismay

dismayed

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“Dismay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dismay. Accessed 22 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of dismay

noun

verb

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