DISMAYS Synonyms: 144 Similar and Opposite Words

dismays

verb

present tense third-person singular of dismay

as in discourages

to lessen the courage or confidence of the imposing climb up the mountain dismayed us even before we got started

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as in disturbs

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

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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 dismays This exploration of the American grasslands – from soil, water, and insects to farmers, plows, and buffalo – dismays, yes, but also invigorates. — Monitor Staff, Christian Science Monitor, 22 May 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for dismays

Verb

For children under 18 months, the AAP discourages all screen use except for video chatting with family.

— Elizabeth Dowdell, The Conversation, 6 July 2026
The lengthy delay to the funeral has raised questions about how Khamenei's remains have been preserved, as Islamic tradition, anaylsts say, generally calls for prompt burial and discourages chemical embalming.

— Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 2 July 2026

Definition of discourages

Verb

Tilling or plowing in the summer disturbs the soil's delicate ecosystem and exposes moist soil to rapid water loss.

— Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 24 June 2026
The pier in Michigan City’s Washington Park disturbs the natural flow of sand along the lakeshore, creating new land east of the pier but starving beaches to the west, an erosion problem repeated by other manmade structures that jut out into Lake Michigan.

— Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 15 June 2026

Definition of disturbs

Verb

If that bothers you, then a significant projection for Bo Nix’s season will make your skin crawl.

— Troy Renck, Denver Post, 6 July 2026
What bothers me more is when passengers take up valuable overhead bin space with personal items like backpacks and jackets before everyone has finished boarding.

— Skyli Alvarez, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 July 2026

Definition of bothers

Verb

Mother’s explosion distracts Blaine and frees Sam.

— Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 22 May 2026
In my view, platforming these young men and sensationalizing their behaviors, rather than recognizing those behaviors as signs of psychological distress, distracts from the urgent need to address these serious mental health concerns.

— Jordyn Tovey, The Conversation, 22 May 2026

Definition of distracts

Verb

Another issue with the heat index concerns the way that it’s calculated.

— Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 3 July 2026
That case concerns a longstanding Supreme Court precedent that broadly shields members of such boards from being fired at will, in order to protect them from partisan interference.

— Alison Durkee, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026

Definition of concerns

Verb

As neighborhoods have grown closer, Gordon worries not only about the animals’ safety, but also about the rescue’s long-term stability.

— Maveah Griffith, Charlotte Observer, 3 July 2026
Humans Still Need To Connect The Dots One thing that worries me is how quickly people assume AI understands consequences.

— David Van Ronk, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026

Definition of worries

Verb

He becomes increasingly consumed by the otherworldly dimension, which alarms his therapist, Mary (Renate Reinsve).

— Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 30 May 2026
The focal point of escalating concern is oldest son Jeremy (Edik Beddoes) whose increasingly erratic behavior alarms those around him, not only for his safety but others as well.

— Randy Myers, Mercury News, 7 May 2026

Definition of alarms

Browse Nearby Words

dismaying

dismays

dismember

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“Dismays.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dismays. Accessed 12 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of dismays

verb

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