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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2
as in depressing
causing unhappiness
the dismal failure of our hopes for the championship
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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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of dismal
Speaking from the visitor’s dugout at Busch Stadium ahead of Tuesday’s game against the St. Louis Cardinals, DeBartolo first acknowledged fan vexation as the Nationals, who are 37-53 and in last place in the National League East, torpedo toward another dismal season.
—
Katie Woo, New York Times, 9 July 2025
In Colorado’s dismal 2025 season, Goodman has been a shining light.
—Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 6 July 2025
That’s the type of dismal history the 2025 Rockies are staring down.
—Lamond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 4 July 2025
The Old Trafford outfit moved quickly to secure the signing of Matheus Cunha from Wolves, upgrading its attack after a dismal 2024/25 season which saw Ruben Amorim’s team struggle badly for firepower in the final third.
—Graham Ruthven, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for dismal
Katie Woo, New York Times, 9 July 2025
In Colorado’s dismal 2025 season, Goodman has been a shining light.
—Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 6 July 2025
That’s the type of dismal history the 2025 Rockies are staring down.
—Lamond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 4 July 2025
The Old Trafford outfit moved quickly to secure the signing of Matheus Cunha from Wolves, upgrading its attack after a dismal 2024/25 season which saw Ruben Amorim’s team struggle badly for firepower in the final third.
—Graham Ruthven, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for dismal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dismal
Adjective
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Some traders said the numbers were less severe than analysts' bleak forecasts.—
Sabrina Valle,
USA Today,
3 July 2025
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No one is as funny and as bleak in the same sentence, or maybe even the same word.—
Literary Hub
July 1,
Literary Hub,
1 July 2025
Adjective
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That this show could mark a turning point for free speech and the First Amendment is just too depressing to contemplate.—
Bill Goodykoontz,
AZCentral.com,
2 July 2025
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But already there are major depressing effects on the ports and warehousing that are important contributors to California's economy.—
James Bickerton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 June 2025
Adjective
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Vegas bounced back from a terrible loss to the Fever with an 86-68 win over the Sun on Sunday.—
Kilty Cleary,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 July 2025
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And because of that, it’s shielded us from the terrible things that happen downstream in the supply chain.—
Alexandra Harrell,
Sourcing Journal,
8 July 2025
Adjective
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Michigan is home to six dark sky state parks, three international dark sky parks and an international dark sky sanctuary.—
Jenna Prestininzi,
Freep.com,
9 July 2025
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Look for bronze or dark spots on the foliage or prominent purple veins.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
9 July 2025
Adjective
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That's the sad reality facing many dogs in the wider shelter system.—
Jack Beresford,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 July 2025
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Know that all feelings are OK Some kids might be very sad or might be scared, and some kids might not have thought about this at all.—
Nicole Villalpando,
Austin American Statesman,
11 July 2025
Adjective
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Maybe the news reports and images trigger your feelings around a horrible experience at a camp, a personal loss of a child, or even just a loss of feeling safe and in control of the world, said Hurlbert.—
Madeline Holcombe,
CNN Money,
11 July 2025
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Getting your car stolen is a horrible experience, but there are ways to deter theft and steps to follow if your vehicle is stolen.—
Charles Singh,
AZCentral.com,
11 July 2025
Adjective
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However, while circumstances were smooth-sailing at the start, things quickly took a somber turn on July 2, 1937.—
Yasmeen Hamadeh,
People.com,
2 July 2025
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His overjoyed demeanor starkly contrasted with his somber appearance in court just a day before when jurors said they were deadlocked on one of the five counts.—
Molly Crane-Newman,
New York Daily News,
2 July 2025
Adjective
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The double talk that is presented by both Republicans and Democrats alike is pathetic.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
10 July 2025
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Tehran's retaliation has, so far, been pathetic: a few missiles lobbed at an empty US base, complete with a heads-up.—
Carlo Versano,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dismal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dismal. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
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