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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Andrew Cunningham, ArsTechnica, 28 Aug. 2025
These are all good reasons to feel bummed out about humanity, but leave it to Lanthimos to express his dismay in the most arch and self-congratulatory way possible.
—Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 28 Aug. 2025
Eileen Finan, People.com, 7 Aug. 2025
We were dismayed by the state of Chicago’s premiere art palace, for everything from closing its doors for two days a week to shutting down its restaurants and food services, and firing the docents who provided tours and hosted thousands of visitors so diligently for so many years.
—Laura Washington, Chicago Tribune, 9 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for dismay
Noun
Following that, Click Studios provided no further updates about the breach, much to the dismay of many users.
—Andrew Cunningham, ArsTechnica, 28 Aug. 2025
These are all good reasons to feel bummed out about humanity, but leave it to Lanthimos to express his dismay in the most arch and self-congratulatory way possible.
—Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 28 Aug. 2025
Verb
But the singer was dismayed that his looks seemed to receive nearly as much attention as his music.
—Eileen Finan, People.com, 7 Aug. 2025
We were dismayed by the state of Chicago’s premiere art palace, for everything from closing its doors for two days a week to shutting down its restaurants and food services, and firing the docents who provided tours and hosted thousands of visitors so diligently for so many years.
—Laura Washington, Chicago Tribune, 9 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for dismay
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dismay
Noun
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This disappointment reoriented me to a stabler ground.—
Joe Joyce,
The Washington Examiner,
5 Sep. 2025
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The Bengals embark on another season where anything short of a playoff run will be seen as another disappointment.—
Jason Hoffman,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
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As France awaits its next prime minister, Bacharan says many people are in despair over the uncertainty this has brought on the country.—
Eleanor Beardsley,
NPR,
9 Sep. 2025
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Mauricio says his wife didn’t give in to that despair and felt reassured by having a work permit.—
Gustavo Valdés,
CNN Money,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Her ancestor’s analytic model discouraged self-revelation by the therapist, but Freud often meets her guests’ excavations of desire and vulnerability with her own candid recollections.—
Rebecca Mead,
New Yorker,
8 Sep. 2025
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Speaker Johnson is giving the high ground to the Democrats by discouraging Thomas Massie's petition.—
Nick Mordowanec,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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While the San Francisco 49ers started off their 2025 NFL schedule with a 17-13 road win over the Seattle Seahawks, there are definite reasons for their fans to be concerned.—
Robert Marvi,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 Sep. 2025
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As far as pricing is concerned, while multiple reports suggested that Apple may hike prices this year to offset tariff pressure, a JPMorgan report indicates the opposite.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
9 Sep. 2025
Noun
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As the Supreme Court increasingly shows frustration with the overreach of lower court judges, the justices could be motivated to take up cases more quickly on matters where lower courts are ignoring their emergency docket orders, such as with the firing of independent agency heads.—
Jack Birle,
The Washington Examiner,
4 Sep. 2025
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Advocates expressed frustration, emphasizing the need for comfortable and safe air travel for all passengers.—
Zach Wichter,
USA Today,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The more time went on, the more Mourinho grew visibly frustrated with his role at United.—
Carl Anka,
New York Times,
5 Sep. 2025
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What's Next The government faces steep socioeconomic and cultural headwinds that have frustrated other nations, and whether ending the two-child policy will make a significant difference on the trend remains uncertain.—
Micah McCartney,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
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China's nuclear arsenal has especially alarmed Washington and its allies.—
Micah McCartney,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Sep. 2025
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The tackling was alarming enough that the Broncos were practicing on Monday with live tackles, something that’s not seen too often once the season starts.—
Shaun Goodwin,
Idaho Statesman,
1 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Much of this waste is because avocados are such a difficult-to-manage fresh produce item, leading to high rates of household waste and consumer dissatisfaction with quality and shelf life.—
Mark Faithfull,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
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Online retailers have been forced to deal with Mangione-specific merchandise, too, much of it catering to those who have turned Mangione into something of a folk hero in light of their immense dissatisfaction with America’s privatized healthcare system.—
Jon Blistein,
Rolling Stone,
3 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dismay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dismay. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.
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