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
Bill Desowitz, IndieWire, 10 Feb. 2025
Kendrick Lamar, fresh from winning five Grammys last week, will add his name to this illustrious list in New Orleans, to the dismay of Drake fans.
—Eduardo Tansley, The Athletic, 8 Feb. 2025
Matthew Lee and Aamer Madhani, Los Angeles Times, 24 Feb. 2025
Comic fans were already unhappy that the Leader’s appearance had been drastically changed from the source material, and some were dismayed to see the character act as a messenger for a vague teaser.
—Dani Di Placido, Forbes, 18 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dismay
Noun
This was key in making the issue Gromit’s problem, exacerbating his sense of isolation and guilt in not being able to express his dismay at Wallace’s amazing new gift.
—Bill Desowitz, IndieWire, 10 Feb. 2025
Kendrick Lamar, fresh from winning five Grammys last week, will add his name to this illustrious list in New Orleans, to the dismay of Drake fans.
—Eduardo Tansley, The Athletic, 8 Feb. 2025
Verb
European leaders also were dismayed by Trump’s decision to dispatch top aides for preliminary talks with Russian officials in Saudi Arabia without Ukrainian or European officials at the table.
—Matthew Lee and Aamer Madhani, Los Angeles Times, 24 Feb. 2025
Comic fans were already unhappy that the Leader’s appearance had been drastically changed from the source material, and some were dismayed to see the character act as a messenger for a vague teaser.
—Dani Di Placido, Forbes, 18 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dismay
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dismay
Noun
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The casualness of these arrangements, and the lack of standards, can lead to disappointment—and little recourse—when people pay hundreds for coaching that turns out to be lackluster.—
Olga Khazan,
The Atlantic,
5 Mar. 2025
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Sometimes being surprised — whether that’s tinged with joy, anger, disappointment, or another feeling — is more emotionally satisfying than just being right.—
Proma Khosla,
IndieWire,
5 Mar. 2025
Noun
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This is really just, across America, giving folks that maybe feel a lot of despair across this first month an outlet to feel heard and understood and comforted by like-minded individuals.—
Meghan Bartels,
Scientific American,
25 Feb. 2025
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Their opulent investment in wages for Lorenzo Insigne has royally backfired, costing Bill Manning his job last summer and digging the Reds into a deep pit of despair for the past couple of years.—
Jeff Rueter,
The Athletic,
21 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Trump wanted to discourage DEI efforts by corporations and others.—
Doug Ross,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Mar. 2025
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None of the other 23 states that allow initiatives, most in the Midwest and West, go so far out of their way to discourage them.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
8 Mar. 2025
Verb
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There were many panels on topics that concern the XR industry, including why growth hasn’t happened as many have expected, along with presentations that introduced new technologies.—
Anshel Sag,
Forbes,
4 Mar. 2025
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These developments sent the stock market on a roller-coaster ride Tuesday while sparking Wall Street concerns about a potential global trade war.—
Daniel Libit,
Sportico.com,
4 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Trump was willing to give detente a shot but underwent a 180-degree turn after the first sign of frustration.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
28 Feb. 2025
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The car is filled with tension, with Basel’s frustration and Yuval’s exasperation.—
Gal Beckerman,
The Atlantic,
28 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Struggling to adapt to announcements regarding trade, and whether to treat them as threats that may not evolve into policy, has frustrated Hassane El-Khoury, CEO of ON Semiconductor.—
Tommy Tuberville,
Newsweek,
7 Mar. 2025
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The use of generic, impersonal responses frustrates customers.—
Rob Lancit,
Forbes,
7 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Reports that Paramount Global is considering a financial settlement on the Trump federal lawsuit have alarmed journalists within CBS News and beyond.—
Cynthia Littleton,
Variety,
19 Feb. 2025
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But his approach to doing so has alarmed many U.S. allies, as his administration recently opened up talks with Russia and signalled openness to peace talks that could potentially embolden Russian President Vladimir Putin and sideline Ukraine.—
Alexandra Hutzler,
ABC News,
4 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Politicians are acutely aware that rising gas prices lead to public dissatisfaction and electoral consequences.—
Robert Rapier,
Forbes,
25 Feb. 2025
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So far, Gen Z has sparked major change in companies, pushing for greater work life balance and hiring salaries despite some hiring managers' dissatisfaction.—
Matt Robison,
Newsweek,
25 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dismay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dismay. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
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