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
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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
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Recent Examples of dismay
Philip Elliott, Time, 17 June 2025
Stevens had articulated his dismay in a Lancaster, Pennsylvania, speech.
—Literary Hub, 5 June 2025
Nicole Nixon, Sacbee.com, 12 June 2025
The brawls were yet another chapter of dismaying fan behavior during San Diego’s inaugural season, which has been a big success on the field.
—Greg Beacham, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for dismay
Noun
To the dismay of critics of Israeli’s governments over the years, that has sometimes been mistaken for a blank check.
—Philip Elliott, Time, 17 June 2025
Stevens had articulated his dismay in a Lancaster, Pennsylvania, speech.
—Literary Hub, 5 June 2025
Verb
They were also dismayed by a joint budget agreement unveiled by lawmakers earlier this week, which includes similar — though lighter — Medi-Cal cost-cutting measures: $30 premiums and an enrollment freeze beginning in July 2027.
—Nicole Nixon, Sacbee.com, 12 June 2025
The brawls were yet another chapter of dismaying fan behavior during San Diego’s inaugural season, which has been a big success on the field.
—Greg Beacham, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for dismay
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dismay
Noun
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While some fans expressed disappointment for the change, many emphasized the importance of it.—
Caché McClay,
USA Today,
1 July 2025
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The mood has clearly improved, and while still some disappointment and dissatisfaction lingers at the absence this summer – for various reasons – of key players such as Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, Tim Weah and Antonee Robinson, there is a different feel starting to develop.—
Martin Rogers,
New York Times,
30 June 2025
Noun
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So many of the adults who held our communities together have been lost to mass incarceration, to addictions—diseases of despair—as drugs have replaced jobs and hope in our neighborhoods, often turning them into war zones.—
Asha Bandele,
Essence,
25 June 2025
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The best dystopian films are the most plausible ones, and Children Of Men feels all too real, from the political factions to the way humanity both descends into despair and miraculously comes together to help those who need it most.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
22 June 2025
Verb
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While global finance institutions and investors have long been interested in diversifying to China, Beijing’s strict controls on capital outflows and relatively opaque system have discouraged large-scale buying of mainland China assets.—
Lee Ying Shan,Evelyn Cheng,
CNBC,
25 June 2025
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Meanwhile, rent control and other well-meaning interventions often backfire by discouraging investment and reducing housing availability in the long run.—
Alexander Frei,
Boston Herald,
23 June 2025
Verb
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Close to four out of five companies concerned with tariffs have postponed or scaled back capital expenditures.—
Megan Poinski,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
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As far as the luxury tax is concerned, deferred money is discounted annually during the term of the contract.—
Barry M. Bloom,
Sportico.com,
1 July 2025
Noun
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The briefings were initially planned for earlier in the week but were postponed, to the frustration of the delegation.—
Lisa Hagen,
Hartford Courant,
28 June 2025
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After some visible frustration in his post-round presser Thursday, despite posting a 67, Hensby said Friday he’d felt thrown off the previous day by NBC Sports’ TV crew following him.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
27 June 2025
Verb
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Retailers have sought to prevent theft without compromising the customer experience as traditional approaches such as locking up products can frustrate shoppers and have been found to lower sales.—
Theo Burman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 June 2025
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And after reports surfaced that Boston had grown frustrated with the star slugger not conducting postgame TV interviews, Devers did exactly that in his first week in San Francisco.—
Sam Settleman,
New York Times,
22 June 2025
Verb
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The apostles are alarmed, but Jesus understands his destiny is coming.—
Erin Jensen,
USA Today,
30 June 2025
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The entire affair—the opening, the closing, the paranoia, and then the alarming news of a shooting (which was unrelated and, thankfully, nonfatal)—could be easily put down to the vagaries of big-city life.—
Emma Sarappo,
The Atlantic,
25 June 2025
Noun
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These discussions may seem minor, but mismatches in energy and intent can lead to dissatisfaction.—
Kaitlyn McInnis,
Forbes.com,
26 June 2025
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On the 24th local time, U.S. President Trump stated that both Israel and Iran had violated the ceasefire agreement and expressed dissatisfaction with both sides.—
,
CNBC,
25 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dismay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dismay. Accessed 8 Jul. 2025.
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