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
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
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While some fans expressed disappointment for the change, many emphasized the importance of it.—
Caché McClay,
USA Today,
1 July 2025
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The mood has clearly improved, and while still some disappointment and dissatisfaction lingers at the absence this summer – for various reasons – of key players such as Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, Tim Weah and Antonee Robinson, there is a different feel starting to develop.—
Martin Rogers,
New York Times,
30 June 2025
Noun
-
This is the despair of wrestlers: unredeemed perspiration, useless bruises.—
James Parker,
The Atlantic,
6 July 2025
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For the most part, professors were, yes, in despair.—
Sean Illing,
Vox,
5 July 2025
Verb
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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
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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
Verb
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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
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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
Noun
-
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
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Just ask Paige Spiranac, former LPGA hopeful turned golf influencer, who recently took it to X to voice her frustration.—
Devlina Sarkar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 July 2025
Verb
-
Williams often got frustrated with him and told him to be quiet.—
Michael Cuglietta,
The Orlando Sentinel,
5 July 2025
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Others are frustrated by the sheer volume of low-effort AI content flooding their feeds.—
Zach Vallese,
CNBC,
2 July 2025
Verb
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The apostles are alarmed, but Jesus understands his destiny is coming.—
Erin Jensen,
USA Today,
30 June 2025
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The entire affair—the opening, the closing, the paranoia, and then the alarming news of a shooting (which was unrelated and, thankfully, nonfatal)—could be easily put down to the vagaries of big-city life.—
Emma Sarappo,
The Atlantic,
25 June 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
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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 18 Jul. 2025.
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