dismay

[ dis-mey ]

verb (used with object)

1. to break down the courage of completely, as by sudden danger or trouble; dishearten thoroughly; daunt:

   The surprise attack dismayed the enemy.

   Synonyms: intimidate, scare, frighten, terrify, appall

   Antonyms: hearten

2. to surprise in such a manner as to disillusion:

   She was dismayed to learn of their disloyalty.

3. to alarm; perturb:

   The new law dismayed some of the more conservative politicians.

noun

1. sudden or complete loss of courage; utter disheartenment.

   Synonyms: panic, terror, consternation, disconcert, fear, horror

   Antonyms: confidence

2. sudden disillusionment.
3. agitation of mind; perturbation; alarm.

dismay

/ dɪsˈmeɪ /

verb

1. to fill with apprehension or alarm
2. to fill with depression or discouragement

noun

1. consternation or agitation

Derived Forms

• disˈmaying, adjective

Other Words From

• dis·may·ing·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of dismay¹

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English desmay (noun), de(s)mayen, dismayen (verb), from presumed Anglo-French alteration, by prefix change, of Old French esmaier “to trouble, frighten,” from unattested Vulgar Latin exmagāre “to disable, deprive of strength,” equivalent to ex- ex- ¹ + unattested magāre, from unattested Germanic magan “to be able to”; may ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of dismay¹

C13: from Old French desmaiier (unattested), from des- dis- ¹+ esmayer to frighten, ultimately of Germanic origin; see may ¹

Synonym Study

See discourage.

Example Sentences

Platforms like Facebook and other businesses whose revenue will take a hit from lost ad dollars have reacted with anger and dismay, while the opt-out means that marketers will have a tougher time targeting consumers efficiently.

From Digiday

It is only in the chapter on the Many-Worlds Interpretation that he voices his dismay.

From Nautilus

The further you get from Wall Street, the deeper the dismay about the state of the economy.

From Fortune

Canadian author Margaret Atwood’s classic 2003 novel Oryx and Crake refers to a time when “there was a lot of dismay out there, and not enough ambulances”—a prediction of our current predicament.

From Singularity Hub 

To the dismay of many public health experts, that remains a question up for debate in the United States even as the coronavirus pandemic rages on.

From Science News

All of the officials interviewed expressed dismay about the possibility that direct payments were made to the group.

From The Daily Beast

The angsty, hazy mind of a teenager is a source of constant befuddlement and dismay for full-grown observers.

From The Daily Beast

And then there's a boy of about 16 (who, to my dismay, has no involvement in the show) wearing a hat made of aluminum foil.

From The Daily Beast

What can we do except to throw up our hands in dismay at the baffling nature of life?

From The Daily Beast

The humility of Joseph to accept this news when most would have responded with incredulity and dismay.

From The Daily Beast

Liszt looked at it, and to her fright and dismay cried out in a fit of impatience, "No, I won't hear it!"

From Project Gutenberg

From mere regrets he was passing now, through dismay, into utter repentance of his promise.

From Project Gutenberg

But even such reproof may be carried too far as on one occasion I found to my dismay.

From Project Gutenberg

He gave so violent a start, his face expressed so much of apprehension and dismay, that I stared at him blankly.

From Project Gutenberg

Eyes exchanged quick, anxious glances, questioning, expressive of dismay.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• agitate
• alarm
• bewilder
• bother
• confound
• daunt
• disconcert
• discourage
• dishearten
• disillusion
• dispirit
• disquiet
• disturb
• dumbfound
• embarrass
• faze
• flummox
• fluster
• frighten
• horrify