dismaying 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of dismayingnext
as in disconcerting

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dismaying

2 of 2

verb

present participle of dismay
1
as in discouraging
to lessen the courage or confidence of the imposing climb up the mountain dismayed us even before we got started

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2
as in alarming
to trouble the mind of; to make uneasy parents who became increasingly dismayed by their son's foundering marriage

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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 dismaying
Adjective
But there’s another side to this story, equally dismaying, which is the abandonment of dissidents as a public cause in the West. — Bret Stephens, Mercury News, 12 Feb. 2026 With little to no foil for this dismaying existence, however, Half His Age often succumbs to shock value in lieu of pushing beyond that which offends. — Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 22 Jan. 2026
Verb
Thinking of my mother marooned in her house was dismaying to me. — Nicholas Dawidoff, New Yorker, 10 May 2026 That the Illini couldn’t complete their comeback attempt despite cutting it to four in the final minutes was dismaying. — Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 5 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for dismaying
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dismaying
  1. disconcerting
  2. discouraging
  3. alarming
  4. disheartening
  5. frustrating
  6. disturbing
  7. troubling
  8. worrying
Adjective
  • One highlight for me was my session with an energy healer named Djik Dewa, who balances out the body’s chakras with gentle massage, chanting, and deep eye contact—a disconcerting but powerful experience.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Ultimately, swarms of AI could combine in rather disconcerting and dangerous ways.
    — Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of disconcerting
Verb
  • In response, Cobb County police plan to increase patrols on and around the holiday and other departments are discouraging participation.
    — Caroline Silva, AJC.com, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Higher mortgage rates aggravate the problem by discouraging many existing homeowners from selling.
    — Sheldon H. Jacobson, Washington Post, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of discouraging
Verb
  • But the Treasury market’s rapid deterioration is now alarming those who previously downplayed the risks.
    — Jason Ma, Fortune, 19 Sep. 2026
  • The constant delay-of-game calls, false starts and inability to get lined up are a special level of alarming for a quarterback who entered the NFL 10 years ago.
    — Jason Lloyd, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of alarming
Adjective
  • Amid disheartening and disruptive school closures and thousands of position cuts districts have been forced to implement due to million-dollar budget shortfalls, vacancies have continued to climb.
    — Andrew Spar, Sun Sentinel, 24 Aug. 2026
  • This has been especially disheartening because the strategy and RPG elements the series is known for have so far been excellent.
    — Jay Peters, The Verge, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of disheartening
Verb
  • But Algo’s hyper-logical, computerised process of consistently picking the favourites to win was undone in the second match of the day, with Ghana frustrating England in a 0-0 draw.
    — The Athletic Soccer Experts, New York Times, 24 June 2026
  • The documentary’s contradiction is right there, enthralling us with the wild achievements Potter pulled off and frustrating us with his bombast, leading us to ponder whether, as The Dark Wizard suggests, either could exist without the other.
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 7 May 2026
Definition of frustrating
Verb
  • By mimicking the oarfish’s fluid control, Shepherd’s team aims to construct large, silent robotic monitors capable of observing fragile ocean ecosystems without ever disturbing the wildlife inside them.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Baldwin alleged that decision was just one part of a pattern of disturbing prosecutorial abuses, including presenting false information to the grand jury, failing to disclose two firearms reports, and filing an unlawful gun enhancement.
    — Gene Maddaus, Variety, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of disturbing
Adjective
  • Now the news cycle was in overdrive, and getting more troubling every day.
    — Alyson Shontell, Fortune, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Most troubling, the defense has gone three consecutive games without recording a sack.
    — Bobby Burack OutKick, FOXNews.com, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of troubling
Verb
  • The director likens his own role on the trip to that of Bill, who is slowly driven to madness by worrying about a particular child, the class punching bag Kenneth (Olof Olingdahl).
    — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 29 Sep. 2026
  • Horse racing makes Heidi Sheridan nervous, worrying whether the animals will get hurt.
    — Robert McCoppin, Chicago Tribune, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of worrying

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Cite this Entry

“Dismaying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dismaying. Accessed 7 Oct. 2026.

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