dismay 1 of 2

dismay

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verb

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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
That did in fact work out quite well, but in the case of Hogwarts Legacy, there’s no online component to fall back to, much to David Zaslav’s dismay. Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025 The governor made little effort to hide his dismay once the announcement became public, nor his desire to fill the big screen void ASAP. Dominic Patten, Deadline, 28 Mar. 2025
Verb
Some African leaders have undoubtedly been dismayed by Kigali’s aggression, with its obvious echoes of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine. Michela Wrong, Foreign Affairs, 3 Mar. 2025 Editors’ Picks Your Questions About Fentanyl, Answered Some federal officials who oversee grants said they were particularly dismayed by a question asking grantees to disavow associations with communist entities. Sheryl Gay Stolberg, New York Times, 8 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for dismay
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dismay
Noun
  • Rebuilding credibility with investors after a prolonged period of disappointment will take time.
    Kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 22 Apr. 2025
  • The title is still up for grabs, but a three-horse race at the top is now down to two, with Leeds and Burnley promoted and Sheffield United having to get over their disappointment and try to go up through the play-offs.
    Gregg Evans, New York Times, 22 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Most importantly, families who have already been traumatized and marginalized will be nurtured by communities rather than pressed farther away from them, deeper into despair.
    Jeff Hobbs, Time, 10 Apr. 2025
  • As weeks stretch on, sadness can deepen into despair, shadowed by shame.
    Jack Kelly, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • In Maui, while some of the island’s celebrity homeowners initially discouraged visitors from returning, the region was welcoming people back two months after the wildfires, says Kalani Kaʻanāʻanā, chief stewardship officer at the Hawaii Tourism Authority.
    Shoshi Parks, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 Apr. 2025
  • That change is avoidable, Dalio said, if lawmakers work together to trim the deficit and the U.S. discourages conflict and inefficient policy on the global stage.
    Russell Leung, CNBC, 13 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The incident report was issued Monday at 3:57 p.m., and the last update concerning this incident was provided on Monday at 4:01 p.m.
    Kansas City Star Bot, Kansas City Star, 22 Apr. 2025
  • The season went from concerning to disastrous under Van Nistelrooy.
    Rob Tanner, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The president has voiced frustration with the 1973 law and similar environmental protections, saying environmentalists are impeding growth.
    Kristin Brown, CBS News, 16 Apr. 2025
  • There’s a sense of frustration that comes with that, like, How come no one’s listening to the voice of a generation?
    Cat Cardenas, Vogue, 16 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The team settled on a patient with SD Autism Spectrum disorder who had an ankle sprain but frustrated Dr. Langdon (Patrick Ball) with his endless questions.
    Chris O'Falt, IndieWire, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Although so highly esteemed, the notoriously taciturn director would often frustrate his colleagues by his reticence to explain his directorial intentions.
    Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 10 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Still, researchers are clear to reassure people there is no need to be alarmed about the continent hollowing out or there being any sudden landscape changes anytime soon.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 19 Apr. 2025
  • While bombarded by public service announcements encouraging me to save the whales, feed starving African children, and conserve freshwater, none alarmed me quite as much as those that advertised the hole in the ozone layer.
    Lauren Stienstra, Time, 17 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • But while one partner might accept this as normal, the other may still crave excitement, leading to frustration or dissatisfaction.
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 11 Apr. 2025
  • Trump’s appeal to specific segments of the Latino community — particularly in Florida and parts of Texas — was driven by factors such as economic concerns, cultural conservatism, and dissatisfaction with the status quo.
    Jesse Mejia, Hartford Courant, 11 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Dismay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dismay. Accessed 27 Apr. 2025.

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