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
David A. Graham, The Atlantic, 27 Apr. 2026
An interesting life and lots of history here, but Kaplan was unable to separate the proverbial wheat from the chaff, to my dismay.
—The Know, Denver Post, 26 Apr. 2026
Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 11 Apr. 2026
Michelle Arvesen, the parent of two Liberal Arts and Science Academy, or LASA, students, was dismayed to learn that among other cuts, the district may consider reducing librarians.
—Keri Heath, Austin American Statesman, 10 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dismay
Noun
So far, to Trump’s dismay, the plaintiff has won some victories; a federal judge repeatedly scolded government lawyers and halted work.
—David A. Graham, The Atlantic, 27 Apr. 2026
An interesting life and lots of history here, but Kaplan was unable to separate the proverbial wheat from the chaff, to my dismay.
—The Know, Denver Post, 26 Apr. 2026
Verb
Try Battery-Powered Sconces Don’t let a lack of electrical wiring dismay you.
—Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 11 Apr. 2026
Michelle Arvesen, the parent of two Liberal Arts and Science Academy, or LASA, students, was dismayed to learn that among other cuts, the district may consider reducing librarians.
—Keri Heath, Austin American Statesman, 10 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dismay
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dismay
Noun
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That the precise prose of this account, and numerous other anecdotes, is written with the kind of titanic certainty that would sway a jury is expected; what’s surprising, however, is Crenshaw’s candor in revealing her vulnerability and disappointments.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 May 2026
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The two first-round quarterbacks drafted in his tenure, Ryan Tannehill and Tua Tagovailoa, promised hope but ultimately delivered disappointment.—
Greg Cote
May 7,
Miami Herald,
7 May 2026
Noun
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The obituaries, social media posts, and GoFundMe pages capture the utter despair of the families, though none of them reckon with the decision not to get the vitamin K shot.—
Lee Hutchinson,
ArsTechnica,
6 May 2026
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The obituaries, social media posts and GoFundMe pages capture the utter despair of the families, though none of them reckon with the decision not to get the vitamin K shot.—
Duaa Eldeib,
ProPublica,
6 May 2026
Verb
-
Formulate federal policies that discourage California lawmakers from burdening its citizens.—
Linh Tat,
Oc Register,
4 May 2026
-
Reincke worries the hype about AI replacing radiologists entirely may discourage medical students.—
Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez,
Fortune,
4 May 2026
Verb
-
There’s a lot to be concerned about.—
Emma Hinchliffe,
Fortune,
28 Apr. 2026
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The king’s visit with a deeply divisive American president, who himself has been compared to a monarch, threatens to further divide Americans concerning the British royals.—
Karissa Waddick,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Most fans understand that the need for more professional-caliber resources wasn’t going to be met under Mohegan Tribe ownership, but there is deep frustration over the Sun’s relocation out of New England.—
Emily Adams,
Hartford Courant,
28 Apr. 2026
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But for the residents and business-owners, the possibility of another set of G train outage evoked frustration after two years of service suspensions while crews worked to upgrade the signaling system on the Crosstown Line.—
Evan Simko-Bednarski,
New York Daily News,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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When the cityscape frustrates urban photographers with uneven terrain or limited spaces, photographic gear company Silence Corner strikes back with the Viperpod – a hybrid tripod designed to hang anywhere in seconds for unencumbered solo shooting.—
Shirl Leigh
May 06,
New Atlas,
6 May 2026
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Committee Democrats asked Lutnick repeatedly about that visit, but came away from the interview frustrated with Lutnick and accused him of evading their questions.—
Stephen Groves,
Chicago Tribune,
6 May 2026
Verb
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Many researchers, advocates and policy experts are alarmed by this White House policy.—
Alison Barkoff,
The Conversation,
29 Apr. 2026
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But the city stressed that this operation would not be for a data center, which remains a source of contention for many residents alarmed by their proliferation across the state.—
Catherine Muccigrosso,
Charlotte Observer,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
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On Reddit’s r/Indiana, which represents a state that has seen nearly a $2 per gallon jump since the war began, more than 500 comments detail dissatisfaction of residents in the Hoosier state.—
Steve Kopack,
NBC news,
1 May 2026
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But some analysts have pointed out that Starlink could also pose a competitive threat to traditional ISPs, even in urban areas, thanks to its discounts and potential user dissatisfaction with other broadband offerings.—
Michael Kan,
PC Magazine,
1 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dismay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dismay. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
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