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

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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

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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

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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

Just like that, months of dismay — and his 0-for-3 start to the afternoon — were forgotten. — Gabriel Burns, AJC.com, 30 Sep. 2026 Curry also raved about rookie Yaxel Lendeborg, expressed dismay that some prognosticators expect the Warriors to miss the postseason, and dished on coach Steve Kerr’s new offensive philosophy. — Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 28 Sep. 2026

Verb

Bigelow said she was dismayed that Toro was not put on administrative leave. — Livi Stanford, Hartford Courant, 20 Sep. 2026 As a former school principal, I was dismayed and disappointed that there was no mention of parental responsibility. — Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 20 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for dismay

Recent Examples of Synonyms for dismay

Noun

To rely on him on a day-to-day basis is to live under conditions of constant disappointment.

— Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 15 Oct. 2026
The trading disappointment comes after CEO Brian Moynihan told analysts last month that trading revenue would be roughly flat; instead the combined bond and stock trading results fell by 5%.

— Hugh Son, CNBC, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of disappointment

Verb

In its lawsuit, Arizona said ChatGPT encourages teens to share personal information with it and, at times, discourages them from sharing that information with parents, authorities or friends.

— Marc Levy, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2026
Amid reports of a surge in federal immigration raids, Los Angeles leaders and immigration advocates said Friday that the efforts appear aimed at discouraging turnout in the midterm elections, and urged voters not to be intimidated.

— Melissa Gomez, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of discourage

Verb

As for Adebayo, the Heat doesn’t seem to concerned about his groin issue.

— Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 15 Oct. 2026
Unions are concerned the bots — which Simbe claims can save employees up to 50 hours of work per week — could put human employees out of work.

— Ella Chakarian, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of concern

Noun

Demonstrators expressed widespread frustration and anger at the government as gasoline, energy and food prices have spiked in recent months.

— SYLVIE CORBET, Arkansas Online, 18 Oct. 2026
That's despite voter frustration over high prices and the Iran war, and his own challenge of leading one of narrowest House majorities in modern times.

— ABC News, ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of frustration

Verb

Since then, Qatar has been frustrated by allegations leveled by Israeli political leaders that its payments to Gaza had helped finance the deadliest massacre of Jews since the Holocaust.

— Eric Cortellessa, Time, 18 Oct. 2026
Wright acknowledged that people are frustrated with the additional costs.

— ABC News, ABC News, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of frustrate

Verb

There are signs that the President is unravelling, in ways that are different from late-period Joe Biden but are alarming all the same.

— David Remnick, New Yorker, 11 Oct. 2026
The symptom that alarmed me most in that moment was the progressive skin wrinkling in some NCBRS teens.

— Deepa Fernandes, STAT, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of alarm

Noun

There’s a difference between formally asking for a trade and making your dissatisfaction known, and Reese had certainly done the latter.

— Dan Zaksheske OutKick, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2026
Connect each allegation to specific claim activity, not general dissatisfaction.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 17 Oct. 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 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of dismay

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verb

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