1
as in discouraging
to lessen the courage or confidence of
the imposing climb up the mountain dismayed us even before we got started
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in alarming
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
as in disconcerting
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
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
Justin Davidson, Curbed, 27 June 2025
For the Congolese government, the ineffective Western responses follow a dismaying pattern.
—Michela Wrong, Foreign Affairs, 3 Mar. 2025
Americans, and a dismaying number of politicians, keep crying for a crackdown on crimes that aren’t happening.
—F.k. Plous, Chicago Tribune, 8 Jan. 2025
The late President’s priorities were remarkably prescient, and his personal qualities offered a dismaying contrast to so much of the present state of American politics.
—Erin Neil, The New Yorker, 30 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for dismaying
Verb
And developers who take on the spatial complexities of working with old architecture face a dismaying array of bureaucratic and financial challenges.
—Justin Davidson, Curbed, 27 June 2025
For the Congolese government, the ineffective Western responses follow a dismaying pattern.
—Michela Wrong, Foreign Affairs, 3 Mar. 2025
Americans, and a dismaying number of politicians, keep crying for a crackdown on crimes that aren’t happening.
—F.k. Plous, Chicago Tribune, 8 Jan. 2025
The late President’s priorities were remarkably prescient, and his personal qualities offered a dismaying contrast to so much of the present state of American politics.
—Erin Neil, The New Yorker, 30 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for dismaying
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dismaying
Verb
-
Trump is attacking immigration at both ends of spectrum, deporting low-wage laborers and discouraging skilled foreigners from bringing their talents to the United States.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
18 Oct. 2025
-
In many faith traditions, mental health can be a stigmatized topic, discouraging open dialogue for those struggling with issues like depression or anxiety.—
Lauren Costantino,
Miami Herald,
16 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Browning has thrown eight interceptions in four starts, which was alarming enough for the Bengals to make a move.—
James Brizuela,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Oct. 2025
-
But also alarming is that government officials don’t seem to take seriously the need to justify the reasons for their use of force, which should only be wielded to protect the rights of Americans.—
Agustina Vergara Cid,
Oc Register,
22 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The result was a disconcerting 31-28 loss that relegated the Chiefs to 2-3 and leaves us to question anew just who and what this team is.—
Chris Ochsner,
Kansas City Star,
7 Oct. 2025
-
Overall, more disconcerting for staffers at the network are Paramount’s plans for significant layoffs later this year.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
6 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Martin revealed the repeat offender's disturbing search history.—
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten,
FOXNews.com,
20 Oct. 2025
-
The property served as both recording hub and the center of disturbing allegations that have long shadowed Kelly’s career.—
Amber Corrine,
VIBE.com,
14 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
At the end of the day, the result was a bit disheartening.—
Daniel Sperry,
Kansas City Star,
14 Sep. 2025
-
Seeing that textbook go to waste felt very disheartening.—
Sami Khan,
Mercury News,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Grieving Vince, worrying about Bode, and taking care of her Cal Fire family is a lot to balance.—
Alamin Yohannes,
Entertainment Weekly,
18 Oct. 2025
-
Stop worrying about the bubble in AI—its growth is sustainable, three Wall Street analysts from Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan, and Wedbush argued this morning in notes seen by Fortune.—
Jim Edwards,
Fortune,
16 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The loss of Nick Bosa (ACL tear) in Week 3 was already troubling for the defense, but Fred Warner's likely season-ending ankle injury in Week 6 was a serious blow for San Francisco.—
Jordan Sigler,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Oct. 2025
-
His failures with a clean pocket on Friday were troubling.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
18 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
In Season 4, Eddie played a key role in distracting Vecna’s (Jamie Campbell Bower) Demobats as the rest of the gang launched an attack on the Upside Down stronghold of Creel House.—
Natalie Oganesyan,
Deadline,
20 Oct. 2025
-
Because many designs in the 1970s focused on open-concept designs, noise in the previous building could be distracting for classes, and teachers had made makeshift walls using bookshelves in an attempt to keep noise out, Bookhout said.—
Imani Cruzen,
Twin Cities,
19 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dismaying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dismaying. Accessed 27 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share