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Definition of dismay

dismay

/dɪsˈmeɪ/
dis · may
Adverb:dismayingly
•
Adjective:dismayed
•
Past Simple:dismayed
•
Past Participle:dismayed
•
Present Participle:dismaying
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dismay Lexical Profile

dismay Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A sudden feeling of distress, alarm, or disappointment caused by something unexpected or unwelcome.

Example

"To her great dismay, the train had already departed by the time she reached the platform."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• verb

1

To cause someone to feel sudden distress, alarm, or disappointment.

Example

"The sudden drop in funding dismayed the research team just before the project launched."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for dismay
Antonyms
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• Rhymes for dismay

• Nearby Words

dismantle
dismantlement
dismantler
dismay
dismayed
dismayingly
dismember

Word Origin & Etymology

Middle English: from Anglo-Norman French desmaier, via Vulgar Latin from Latin dis- (expressing deprivation) and a Germanic root related to Old High German magan ('to be able' or 'have power').

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Dismay. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/dismay
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