dismal

adjective

ˈdiz-məl How to pronounce dismal (audio)
Definition of dismalnext
1
as in bleak
causing or marked by an atmosphere lacking in cheer a suitably dismal setting for a haunted house

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in depressing
causing unhappiness the dismal failure of our hopes for the championship

Synonyms & Similar Words

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3
as in terrible
extremely unsatisfactory the quarterback's dismal performance suggested that he had not fully recovered from his recent injury

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective dismal contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of dismal are bleak, cheerless, desolate, dreary, and gloomy. While all these words mean "devoid of cheer or comfort," dismal indicates extreme and utterly depressing gloominess.

dismal weather

When is it sensible to use bleak instead of dismal?

Although the words bleak and dismal have much in common, bleak suggests chill, dull, and barren characteristics that utterly dishearten.

the bleak years of the depression

When could cheerless be used to replace dismal?

In some situations, the words cheerless and dismal are roughly equivalent. However, cheerless stresses absence of anything cheering.

a drab and cheerless office

When can desolate be used instead of dismal?

The words desolate and dismal can be used in similar contexts, but desolate adds an element of utter remoteness or lack of human contact to any already disheartening aspect.

a desolate outpost

In what contexts can dreary take the place of dismal?

The synonyms dreary and dismal are sometimes interchangeable, but dreary, often interchangeable with dismal, emphasizes discouragement resulting from sustained dullness or futility.

a dreary job

When is gloomy a more appropriate choice than dismal?

While the synonyms gloomy and dismal are close in meaning, gloomy often suggests lack of hope or promise.

gloomy war news

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 dismal Nowhere is adulthood more dismal than in its outie story lines, which Season 2 attempts to build out. —Katy Waldman, The New Yorker, 6 Mar. 2025 Last month, the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), also known as the Nation’s Report Card, was released and painted a dismal picture for many of our nation’s students. —John Padget, Orlando Sentinel, 6 Mar. 2025 The futuristic worlds that she’s created reflect that, from the dark and dismal cityscapes to the authoritarian prisoner ships run entirely by soulless robots. —Kyle Wilson, Rolling Stone, 4 Mar. 2025 Despite Illinois spending more per student than almost any other state, the educational outcomes are dismal. —Steve Forbes, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for dismal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dismal
  1. bleak
  2. depressing
  3. terrible
  4. dark
  5. sad
  6. horrible
  7. somber
  8. pathetic
Adjective
  • All of these episodes have different types of endings: There’s bleak to total cliffhanger to sentimental.
    — Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 11 Apr. 2025
  • Some practical frameworks and strategies enable leaders to maintain stability, foster engagement, and position their teams for success even when the economic outlook appears bleak.
    — Kara Dennison, SPHR, CPRW, EC, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of bleak
Adjective
  • Some people thought that was too depressing or whatever.
    — Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
  • Many learned the depressing answer only when trying to scan badges and getting rejected by security, which treated them more or less like trespassers.
    — New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 5 Apr. 2025
Definition of depressing
Adjective
  • Skinner had a terrible time of it for much of the season.
    — Allan Mitchell, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
  • What is disconcerting is when campaign donors and friends & family have commuted sentences after they have been legally convicted of terrible financial crimes.
    — Sanjeev Menon, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
Definition of terrible
Adjective
  • Editor’s tip: Niacinamide is a multitasker that blurs the look of dark spots, evens your skin tone, and balances your complexion.
    — Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 15 Apr. 2025
  • And so by some sociologists, camp is thought to be this form of dark humor serving as a coping mechanism to historical marginalization.
    — Sam Reed, Glamour, 15 Apr. 2025
Definition of dark
Adjective
  • Kwong grew up hearing stories of every kind about Manzanar—scary, sad, funny and infuriating.
    — Rachel Ng, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 Mar. 2025
  • Yet, whatever the deal means for Paul, Weiss, its acquiescence to Trump marks a sad day for the legal profession—or what once was a profession, and is now just another business.
    — Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 27 Mar. 2025
Definition of sad
Adjective
  • But then two horrible shifts by the Wild turned the game upside down in the blink of an eye.
    — Michael Russo, New York Times, 5 Apr. 2025
  • Some veterans have impressed at the midpoint of coach Mike Norvell's spring-practice rebuilding as FSU aims to recover from last year's horrible campaign.
    — Bob Ferrante, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 Apr. 2025
Definition of horrible
Adjective
  • The week continues to build excitement with the Celtic Cross Mass and Ceremony (this year on Sunday, March 9) and the beautiful and somber Sgt.
    — Jessica Farthing, Southern Living, 10 Mar. 2025
  • The mood at the event was anything but somber, though.
    — Kristen Bateman, Vogue, 10 Mar. 2025
Definition of somber
Adjective
  • Michael Gandolfini pops up as a slimy Fisk mayoral staffer who wouldn’t look out of place in this magazine’s recent cover featuring the new young right, and his playing both pathetic and vaguely sympathetic is very fun to watch.
    — Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 4 Mar. 2025
  • One of the most pathetic symbols of the new manosphere is Mark Zuckerberg.
    — Robert B. Reich, Hartford Courant, 4 Mar. 2025
Definition of pathetic

Browse Nearby Words

disloyalty
dismal
dismally
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Cite this Entry

“Dismal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dismal. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025.

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