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
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of dismay
Rong-Gong Lin Ii, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2025
To the dismay of opposing fans, national media and opponents, those teams backed up their incessant trash talking, celebratory dances and struts by gleefully mollywhopping opponents.
—David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 19 June 2025
Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 9 May 2025
Churchill was dismayed by the prospect that U.S. troops might simply go home after the war in the Pacific ended in 1945.
—Antony Beevor, Foreign Affairs, 7 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for dismay
Noun
Chu also expressed dismay that an unidentified agent pointed a gun at a man seeking to take video of his license plate.
—Rong-Gong Lin Ii, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2025
To the dismay of opposing fans, national media and opponents, those teams backed up their incessant trash talking, celebratory dances and struts by gleefully mollywhopping opponents.
—David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 19 June 2025
Verb
When Elsbeth sits in on a rehearsal, she’s first dismayed by the script’s accusations of evidence planting, then delighted to see Mateo (probably her favorite perp to date), and finally, puzzled by how much the actors openly loathe their director.
—Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 9 May 2025
Churchill was dismayed by the prospect that U.S. troops might simply go home after the war in the Pacific ended in 1945.
—Antony Beevor, Foreign Affairs, 7 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for dismay
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dismay
Noun
-
He’d been disappointed to ride in an ordinary bus, and disappointment, by exposing pride, summoned shame.—
Clare Sestanovich,
New Yorker,
13 July 2025
-
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
Noun
-
This is the despair of wrestlers: unredeemed perspiration, useless bruises.—
James Parker,
The Atlantic,
6 July 2025
-
For the most part, professors were, yes, in despair.—
Sean Illing,
Vox,
5 July 2025
Verb
-
Bailey made headlines leading up to the draft by reportedly discouraging Philadelphia from selecting him, and even attempted to do the same with Utah.—
Kilty Cleary,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 July 2025
-
President Snow, facing growing unrest across the nation as a result of the pair’s joint victory, demands that Katniss and Peeta pretend to be in love during their Victory Tour to discourage any rebellions.—
Kelly Martinez Published,
EW.com,
5 July 2025
Verb
-
The suit alleges that several internal memos concerning drugs and other contraband have gone unheeded for years.—
Cody Copeland,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 July 2025
-
The warning was released on Monday at 4:41 p.m., and the last update concerning this incident was provided on Monday at 4:47 p.m.—
Kansas City Star Bot
Updated July 14,
Kansas City Star,
14 July 2025
Noun
-
More than six months into his presidency, Trump has shown increasing frustration with Putin as a ceasefire deal to end the conflict remains out of reach.—
Cybele Mayes-Osterman,
USA Today,
10 July 2025
-
North Texas’ congestion, perhaps to the frustration of many, had more or less returned to normal by 2022, according to data compiled by the Texas A&M Transportation Institute.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
10 July 2025
Verb
-
Williams often got frustrated with him and told him to be quiet.—
Michael Cuglietta,
The Orlando Sentinel,
5 July 2025
-
Even so, our reporting left me feeling mostly frustrated with my brain.—
Noah Haggerty,
Los Angeles Times,
2 July 2025
Verb
-
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
-
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
-
Please consider the broader impact of this particular symbol and treat it with respect and care, even in times of political dissatisfaction.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
8 July 2025
-
Following the cancellation, members of the Provo community expressed dissatisfaction through reviews but felt they still weren't heard.—
Hollie Silverman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dismay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dismay. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share