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

Other Word Forms

• dismayingly adverb
• dismaying adjective

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

The Carney government has had to walk a tightrope in dealing with public dismay over US relations.

From BBC

But, he told a dismayed Combs, who twice tilted his head up and sighed, there was light at the end of his jail sentence.

From BBC

Users on social media have reacted with dismay to the announcement.

From BBC

“If we don’t feel comfortable using certain guys with an eight-run lead, then we’ve got to think through some things,” said a dismayed Roberts.

From Los Angeles Times

They were left trudging away from the 18th in dismay as the sun set over the Long Island course.

From BBC

Related Words

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