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
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of dismay
James Barron, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2025
Much to her dismay, Cardi showed fans on her Instagram Story that her daughter, Kulture Kiari Cephus, had scribbled all over the raper’s crocodile skin Hermés Kelly bag.
—Mackenzie Cummings-Grady, Billboard, 1 Apr. 2025
Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 1 Apr. 2025
If he was dismayed by a team-mate or disappointed by a performance, the hands-on-hips thousand-yard stare was inescapable.
—Amy Lawrence, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dismay
Noun
The latest New York news Image Online rage invades a famed retreat: The Chautauqua Institution, a 151-year-old intellectual center in upstate New York, has been rocked by online accusations of antisemitism and liberal bias, as well as dismay over cuts to its opera budget.
—James Barron, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2025
Much to her dismay, Cardi showed fans on her Instagram Story that her daughter, Kulture Kiari Cephus, had scribbled all over the raper’s crocodile skin Hermés Kelly bag.
—Mackenzie Cummings-Grady, Billboard, 1 Apr. 2025
Verb
So the former Maryland center was dismayed to see how a two-week kerfuffle at his former school resulted in the departures of athletic director Damon Evans, men’s basketball coach Kevin Willard and five players.
—Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 1 Apr. 2025
If he was dismayed by a team-mate or disappointed by a performance, the hands-on-hips thousand-yard stare was inescapable.
—Amy Lawrence, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dismay
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dismay
Noun
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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
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Rebuilding credibility with investors after a prolonged period of disappointment will take time.—
Kevin Stankiewicz,
CNBC,
22 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Magnificent heroes of delicacy and seduction, Anouk Aimée and Jean-Louis Trintignant forever illuminate the film of our lives, like these two posters, whose colors express the intensity of a passionate love that triumphs over despair.—
Patrick Hipes,
Deadline,
21 Apr. 2025
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The most heartbreaking thing about this highly heartbreaking scene, to me, is how Ramsey communicates Ellie’s despair at realizing there’s no time to fix things between them.—
Kimberly Roots,
TVLine,
20 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Emotional illiteracy, disconnection from the body and organizational cultures that discourage vulnerability reinforce this divide.—
Nancy Zamierowski,
Forbes.com,
25 Apr. 2025
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In subtropical South Florida, the days can get so hot that the rising mercury might actually discourage pollen production.—
Ashley Miznazi,
Miami Herald,
23 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
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Maybe the trauma was having the type of brain that this type of world is not built for and butting up against that frustration again and again.—
Lizz Schumer,
People.com,
29 Apr. 2025
-
The frustration of losing the Corales Puntacana Championship almost on the last hole quickly passed for Joel Dahmen.—
Mohammed Soliman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
What frustrates you most about navigating love in the digital age?—
Kyle Denis,
Billboard,
25 Apr. 2025
-
Piastri and his camp, led by steely former F1 racer Mark Webber, were frustrated with Alpine’s slow progress towards his F1 graduation.—
Alex Kalinauckas,
New York Times,
24 Apr. 2025
Verb
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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
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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
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After the April 10 meeting, trustee Charmaine Haworth also resigned, also citing dissatisfaction with the group’s direction.—
Noah Lyons,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
20 Apr. 2025
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The announcement comes just days after Starkey addressed rumors of his firing, reportedly sparked by singer Roger Daltrey’s dissatisfaction with Starkey’s performance during a Teenage Cancer Trust benefit show at London’s Royal Albert Hall in late March.—
Mitchell Peters,
Billboard,
19 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dismay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dismay. Accessed 4 May. 2025.
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