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

It appointed a government heavily composed of political insiders, to the dismay of the Gen Z groups.

Read more on Barron's

"I was told the decision came from the highest levels within the BBC. This has happened against my wishes, and I'm genuinely dismayed by it."

Read more on BBC

There is dismay among some of his most fervent supporters about his repeatedly expressed enthusiasm for high-skilled immigration and H-1B visas.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

To the dismay of more portly ministers in tow, he also made a habit of jogging onto stage at public events.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

"We were deeply dismayed by the lack of seriousness shown by some executive colleagues during this critical period, including persistent briefing against others and the leaking of confidential information."

Read more on BBC

Related Words

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