dismal

[diz-muhl]

adjective

1. causing gloom or dejection; gloomy; dreary; cheerless; melancholy.

   dismal weather.

   Antonyms: gay, cheerful

2. characterized by ineptness or lack of skill, competence, effectiveness, imagination, or interest; pitiful.

   Our team played a dismal game.

   Synonyms: dreadful, abysmal, hopeless

3. Obsolete.

   1. disastrous; calamitous.

   2. unlucky; sinister.

noun

1. Southern U.S.,  a tract of swampy land, usually along the coast.

dismal

/ ˈdɪzməl /

adjective

1. causing gloom or depression

2. causing dismay or terror

3. of poor quality or a low standard; feeble

Other Word Forms

• dismally adverb
• dismalness noun
• dismality noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of dismal¹

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English dismale “unlucky time,” dismol day one of two days in each month considered unlucky (hence later taken as adjective), from Anglo-French dis mal, from Medieval Latin diēs malī, literally, “evil days”; diary ( def. ), mal- ( def. )

Word History and Origins

Origin of dismal¹

C13: from dismal (noun) list of 24 unlucky days in the year, from Medieval Latin diēs malī bad days, from Latin diēs day + malus bad

Example Sentences

But the dismal state of the Raiders falls on him as head coach.

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England have passed up the opportunity to send their first-choice batters to gain match practice in an Ashes tour game in Canberra, despite a dismal defeat in the first Test.

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It comes after a dismal few weeks for the PM, who has faced growing criticism and speculation he could face a leadership challenge.

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The price of Bitcoin External link was sliding yet again Monday, as investors bought the dip in stocks but steered clear of cryptocurrencies following a dismal run.

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After drawing their opening qualifier with Hungary in Dublin, the Irish fell to a dismal defeat by Armenia in Yerevan.

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Related Words

• depressing 
• dim 
• discouraging www.thesaurus.com
• disheartening 
• dull 
• ghastly 
• horrible 
• horrid 
• miserable 
• murky 
• sad