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
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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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of dismay
Lawrence Ulrich, Robb Report, 19 June 2025
Bayern forward Harry Kane was on his knees, checking on Musiala’s well-being, as was captain Joshua Kimmich, who took one look at his young team-mate’s left leg and turned away in apparent dismay.
—Oliver Kay, New York Times, 6 July 2025
David Ferrara, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
The decision marks a decisive turning point in a long preservation battle over the closed Polish Pilsen church.
Activists who want the church reopened were dismayed that the final landmark status only protects the church building and not other buildings on the property.
—Jake Sheridan, Chicago Tribune, 18 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for dismay
Noun
For certain Corvette fans, who have voiced dismay or outright displeasure over the Corvette’s electric evolution, that choice may be easy.
—Lawrence Ulrich, Robb Report, 19 June 2025
Bayern forward Harry Kane was on his knees, checking on Musiala’s well-being, as was captain Joshua Kimmich, who took one look at his young team-mate’s left leg and turned away in apparent dismay.
—Oliver Kay, New York Times, 6 July 2025
Verb
Law enforcement officials and community activists say they are dismayed by Henderson's celebrity.
—David Ferrara, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
The decision marks a decisive turning point in a long preservation battle over the closed Polish Pilsen church.
Activists who want the church reopened were dismayed that the final landmark status only protects the church building and not other buildings on the property.
—Jake Sheridan, Chicago Tribune, 18 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for dismay
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dismay
Noun
-
The Pixel 10 Pro Fold’s New Focus One pricing decision that may come as a disappointment is with the Pixel 10 Pro Fold.—
Ewan Spence,
Forbes.com,
13 July 2025
-
He’d been disappointed to ride in an ordinary bus, and disappointment, by exposing pride, summoned shame.—
Clare Sestanovich,
New Yorker,
13 July 2025
Noun
-
Joe’s despair reminded me of a conversation my colleague Charlie Warzel had with the writer and technology theorist L. M. Sacasas in 2022.—
Shirley Li,
The Atlantic,
18 July 2025
-
What kind of despair would people feel upon the discovery that their source of joy, belonging, and meaning was a farce?—
Paul Bloom,
New Yorker,
14 July 2025
Verb
-
To discourage ants from returning, inspect new plants, use a sticky barrier, or create a moat.—
Anne Readel,
Better Homes & Gardens,
18 July 2025
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About 9% of workers said their employers actively discourage them from taking all the time off they’re owed.—
George Petras,
USA Today,
18 July 2025
Verb
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While some prominent voices have praised Harvard’s response, prospective students may be concerned about the potential ramifications of this ongoing dispute.—
Liz Doe Stone,
Forbes.com,
26 July 2025
-
The traffic alert was reported Thursday at 4:38 p.m., and the last update concerning this incident was provided on Thursday at 4:47 p.m. Crash update: I-40/US-71 There is a crash on northbound I-40/US-71 between MO-150 and Main Street.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
25 July 2025
Noun
-
Other operators have expressed similar frustration, and some members of Congress have signaled support for an overhaul.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
22 July 2025
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That move has divided GOP lawmakers — including many who see Trump as simply airing his frustration with the Fed’s choice to leave interest rates unchanged amid shifting tariff policy.—
Eleanor Mueller,
semafor.com,
22 July 2025
Verb
-
Herman was particularly frustrated with Comcast upload speeds, which are much slower than the cable service's download speeds.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
14 July 2025
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Huda then confided in Amaya, claiming the chain of events the night before went a bit differently than was shown, but she, too, was frustrated.—
Breanne L. Heldman,
People.com,
14 July 2025
Verb
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In an interview with an internal affairs investigator, Pascua said she wasn’t alarmed by Elisa’s fall.—
Kelly Davis,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 July 2025
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Those of us frustrated or alarmed about the scope of the Trump administration’s immigration raids must unequivocally condemn violence against government workers and law enforcement.—
Dallas Morning News,
Twin Cities,
10 July 2025
Noun
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New polling from The Economist/YouGov shows a drop in the president's approval among those earning over $100,000—a shift that appears tied to economic unease and growing dissatisfaction with his policy agenda.—
Martha McHardy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 July 2025
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Decanting can be a valuable tool when there’s a major change in the law or the beneficiary’s circumstances, or there’s dissatisfaction with the trustee.—
Bob Carlson,
Forbes.com,
16 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dismay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dismay. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
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