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
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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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as in disconcerting
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of dismay
David Denby, New Yorker, 23 May 2025
In March, college officials watched in dismay as the Department of Homeland Security began quietly removing the records of thousands of foreign students from a federal immigration database.
—Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 16 May 2025
Justin Worland, Time, 18 Apr. 2025
However, alarmed and dismayed by Trump’s expressed goal of annexing Greenland, some in Copenhagen now regret that procurement, Business Insider reported.
—Paul Iddon, Forbes.com, 10 Apr. 2025
Brad Biggs, Chicago Tribune, 29 Nov. 2024
The math suggests a dismaying possibility: these votes may very well swing.
—Yiyun Li, Harper's Magazine, 23 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for dismay
Noun
Their reality has been shredded; they are literally demoralized, with the exception of one man, Pabst’s assistant, a scrupulous fellow who goes mad with dismay.
—David Denby, New Yorker, 23 May 2025
In March, college officials watched in dismay as the Department of Homeland Security began quietly removing the records of thousands of foreign students from a federal immigration database.
—Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 16 May 2025
Verb
On one end of the spectrum, institutional investors are dismayed at the company’s pullback from its ambitious climate targets.
—Justin Worland, Time, 18 Apr. 2025
However, alarmed and dismayed by Trump’s expressed goal of annexing Greenland, some in Copenhagen now regret that procurement, Business Insider reported.
—Paul Iddon, Forbes.com, 10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
What’s dismaying is this was yet another opportunity for the Bears to close out a game — in this instance, Williams could have ended things with a 99-yard touchdown drive — and be celebrating a massive performance by the rookie.
—Brad Biggs, Chicago Tribune, 29 Nov. 2024
The math suggests a dismaying possibility: these votes may very well swing.
—Yiyun Li, Harper's Magazine, 23 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for dismay
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dismay
Noun
-
The best way to overcome a year of disappointment is, of course, to challenge again, which is precisely the thought on Arteta’s mind.—
Zak Garner-Purkis,
Forbes.com,
29 May 2025
-
Her tough coach, her mother Wang Shuang (Ma Yili) can’t hide her disappointment.—
Murtada Elfadl,
Variety,
28 May 2025
Noun
-
Emond’s script deftly contrives a third act that’s hopeful but still flecked with genuine despair.—
Leslie Felperin,
HollywoodReporter,
20 May 2025
-
But the despair from another losing fall subsided months ago, and winter, at last, has melted away.—
Matt Baker,
New York Times,
14 May 2025
Noun
-
Trump has expressed growing frustration with the rulings.—
Zac Anderson,
USA Today,
23 May 2025
-
Tyler expresses frustration in hearing that from him and not from Brandon and Theresa themselves.—
Angela Andaloro,
People.com,
23 May 2025
Noun
-
Despite the high level of dissatisfaction with a broad range of Donald Trump's policies, unfortunately, independents are not yet prepared to abandon their support for him.—
Tom Rogers and Susan Del Percio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
20 May 2025
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And a healthy dose of dissatisfaction about the tough economic times facing many Californians.—
Phil Willon,
Los Angeles Times,
19 May 2025
Adjective
-
More troubling than political differences, young men and women aren’t occupying the same digital and physical spaces.—
Kian Bakhtiari,
Forbes.com,
25 May 2025
-
Given this reality, Israelis’ attribution of collective responsibility for the Oct. 7 attack creates a troubling moral calculus that rationalizes civilian suffering.—
Carlo Koos,
The Conversation,
22 May 2025
Adjective
-
The list of companies announcing price changes as a result is equally daunting.—
Auzinea Bacon,
CNN Money,
24 May 2025
-
Scheffler's epic finish, going 5-under over his final five holes, included the daunting 'Green Mile' stretch of 16 through 18.—
Kendall Capps,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 May 2025
Adjective
-
Nothing has officially happened yet, but the tension is disturbing with the consequences potentially devastating.—
Mac Engel,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
27 May 2025
-
That’s a quite disturbing possibility since AGI could wield such an act on a scale of immense magnitude and with globally adverse consequences.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
24 May 2025
Adjective
-
For Armstrong, capturing the humanity of these men paints a more unsettling portrait than pure billionaire-trolling might.—
Charlie Warzel,
The Atlantic,
30 May 2025
-
The main case under investigation is unsettling and satisfyingly intricate, with ample thematic connections to Morck, Akram and Rose’s respective forms of psychological damage.—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
29 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dismay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dismay. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.
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