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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Stewart concluded by joking that his final act of objetophilia had taken place in the very theater where the gala was being held, much to the audience’s dismay and amusement. — Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Oct. 2026 Corporate America, unions, Republicans, and Democrats rallied against the policy for years and postponed its enactment, to the dismay of economists. — Bob Herman, STAT, 29 Oct. 2026

Verb

Bloomingdale’s fashion director David Thielebeule was encouraged by greater age diversity on the runway this season, but dismayed by the narrow range of body shapes. — Joe Bobowicz, Vogue, 19 Oct. 2026 Hal and Kate, having misread Trowbridge’s shock and dismay at the tragic death of Austin Dennison as a worse-than-usual bit of arrogant posturing, switch to Bad Cop mode. — Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 15 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for dismay

Recent Examples of Synonyms for dismay

Noun

Those who checked Truth Social after CNN projected that the Democratic party would capture the House of Representatives were also set up for disappointment, as the president has yet to comment on those results as well.

— Eve Batey, Vanity Fair, 4 Nov. 2026
For communities across Sacramento and California, Diwali — the ancient Hindu Festival of Lights — comes with its joyful tradition of illumination to symbolize good over evil, but this year’s celebration is marked with a shadow of disappointment.

— Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of disappointment

Noun

What really sets Black Doves apart, though, are its lovable characters and its beguiling mix of laughs and tears, which flirt with existential despair without ever fully tipping into it.

— Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 5 Nov. 2026
The throngs of freedmen and women only compounded white Georgians’ despair.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 5 Nov. 2026

Definition of despair

Verb

But innovation does not come from a system that effectively discourages questioning.

— Washington Post, Washington Post, 8 Nov. 2026
Native children were often separated from their families and communities through boarding schools, where they were discouraged or prevented from speaking their Native languages and practicing their cultures.

— Conor McGill, CBS News, 7 Nov. 2026

Definition of discourage

Verb

Musk and SpaceX have been instructed to preserve records concerning restrictions imposed on a military version of the Starlink satellite internet service in Ukraine, CNN first reported, citing an aide to a Democratic senator.

— Lora Kolodny, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2026
A number of women who were not known to each other came forward to officers with reports concerning Brand after that investigation was published, the Met Police said.

— Lauren Said-Moorhouse, CNN Money, 5 Nov. 2026

Definition of concern

Noun

But across this wolf may cry, her breathy delivery becomes so uniform that longing, frustration, and romantic desperation frequently sound indistinguishable.

— Precious Fondren, Pitchfork, 6 Nov. 2026
And rather than allowing his defense to anchor him during challenging games, the wing often allows his frustration to seep into his defensive assignments.

— Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 6 Nov. 2026

Definition of frustration

Verb

Miami coach Mario Cristobal was frustrated with the call after the game.

— Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 8 Nov. 2026
Johannesburg’s mayoral race reveals a city frustrated by years of corruption and crumbling infrastructure – and a country at a crossroad.

— Ryan Lenora Brown, Christian Science Monitor, 5 Nov. 2026

Definition of frustrate

Verb

Coolly, Violet responds that to avoid alarming the public, a few agitators have beenneutralized—now there’s a sticky euphemism—and their deaths passed off as revenge killings among drug traffickers.

— J. B. MacKinnon, Harpers Magazine, 27 Oct. 2026
That move sparked enormous street protests in Israel, and alarmed many Israeli citizens overseas.

— Daniel Brook, New Yorker, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of alarm

Noun

The electoral setback was stoked in part by voter dissatisfaction with the Iran war and elevated fuel prices, a byproduct of the regional conflict that’s affected nearly every sector of the global economy.

— Aamer Madhani, Los Angeles Times, 7 Nov. 2026
Exit polls showed nearly nine out of 10 voters considered the cost of living as a big factor in their vote, while the majority of voters expressed dissatisfaction with the direction of the country.

— Shelby Talcott, semafor.com, 6 Nov. 2026

Definition of dissatisfaction

Browse Nearby Words

dismantling

dismay

dismayed

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“Dismay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dismay. Accessed 10 Nov. 2026.

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verb

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