dismaying

adjective

dis·​may·​ing dis-ˈmā-iŋ 

diz-

: causing feelings of alarmed concern or agitation

heard some dismaying news

… at a time when Hollywood was quietly panicking over dismaying financial statistics.

—Robert F. Moss

It is somewhat dismaying to see how far Mr. Jennings often goes in his zeal …

—Ronald Sanders

dismayingly

dis-ˈmā-iŋ-lē 

diz-

adverb

a dismayingly long list of problems

This is a place where achieving any sort of closure on important national traumas … has proved dismayingly elusive.

—Max Rodenbeck

Examples of dismaying in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

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

Amid the meal, the guest made a dismaying discovery. —Brenton Blanchet, People.com, 14 Oct. 2024

Perhaps the most dismaying sentiment in this gloomy film is delivered by an anonymous comedy fan who apparently bought a ticket to watch C.K. perform at Madison Square Garden last year. —Michael O'Sullivan, Washington Post, 11 July 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1582, in the meaning defined above