dismay

[ dis-mey ]

/ dɪsˈmeɪ /

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verb (used with object)

to break down the courage of completely, as by sudden danger or trouble; dishearten thoroughly; daunt: The surprise attack dismayed the enemy.

to surprise in such a manner as to disillusion: She was dismayed to learn of their disloyalty.

to alarm; perturb: The new law dismayed some of the more conservative politicians.

noun

sudden or complete loss of courage; utter disheartenment.

sudden disillusionment.

agitation of mind; perturbation; alarm.

Nearby words

Origin of dismay

1275–1325; Middle English desmay (noun), de(s)mayen, dismayen (v.) < presumed AF alteration, by prefix change, of Old French esmaier to trouble, frighten < Vulgar Latin *exmagāre to disable, deprive of strength, equivalent to ex- ex-¹ + *magāre < Germanic *magan to be able to; see may¹

SYNONYMS FOR dismay

1. appall, terrify, frighten, scare, intimidate, disconcert. See discourage. 4. consternation, terror, panic, horror, fear.

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ANTONYMS FOR dismay

1. hearten. 4. confidence.

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Related formsdis·mayed·ness

[dis-meyd-nis, -mey-id-] /dɪsˈmeɪd nɪs, -ˈmeɪ ɪd-/, noundis·may·ing·ly, adverbun·dis·mayed, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for dismayed

Buddhist purists are dismayed by one-percenters using mindfulness to get even richer.
What If Meditation Isn’t Good for You?|Jay Michaelson|November 1, 2014|DAILY BEAST
I am often dismayed at the many ways in which we medicalize a natural phenomenon that affects us all—aging.
How an iPod Can Fight Alzheimer’s and Dementia|Dr. Bill Thomas|July 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Many of your fellow citizens are dismayed by your conduct, and our anger has nothing to do with the color of your skin.
An Open Letter to Attorney General Eric Holder: It’s Not About Race|Ron Christie|July 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Olivia is dismayed at everything that's happening and decides to get on a plane and run away with Jake.
The Explosive ‘Scandal’ Finale Was Its Best Episode Yet|Kevin Fallon|April 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST

So I was dismayed to find that the makers of 300: Rise of an Empire had completely ignored them.
‘300’ Is a Misleading, Muscle-Bound Travesty of Ancient History|James Romm|March 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
"But your—your child," stammered the dismayed doctor faintly.
The Road to Understanding|Eleanor H. Porter
And when thou wilt be in that isle thou wilt find a little path, and of what thou mayest see within be not dismayed at anything.
The Fairy Mythology|Thomas Keightley
She stood undaunted amid these horrors; but her lover, dismayed and heartbroken, sickened and died.
Pioneers Of France In The New World|Francis Parkman, Jr.
A tour of the ship followed; and as it progressed, the more confused and dismayed the two Nargodian commanders became.
The Galaxy Primes|Edward Elmer Smith
She stood in dismayed embarrassment, the chill of an unpleasant surprise benumbed her.
Blue Robin, the Girl Pioneer|Rena I. Halsey

British Dictionary definitions for dismayed

dismay

/ (dɪsˈmeɪ) /

verb (tr)

to fill with apprehension or alarm

to fill with depression or discouragement

noun

consternation or agitation

Derived Formsdismaying, adjective

Word Origin for dismay

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for dismayed

dismay

late 13c., dismaien, from Old French *desmaier (attested only in past participle dismaye), from Latin de- intensive prefix + Old French esmaier "to trouble, disturb," from Vulgar Latin *exmagare "divest of power or ability" (source of Italian smagare "to weaken, dismay, discourage"), from ex- (see ex-) + Germanic stem *mag- "power, ability" (cf. Old High German magen "to be powerful or able;" see may (v.)). Spanish desmayer "to be dispirited" is a loan word from Old French. Related: Dismayed; dismaying.

dismay

c.1300, from dismay (v.).

dismay

verb (used with object)

noun

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Origin of dismay

Examples from the Web for dismayed

dismay

verb (tr)

noun

Word Origin for dismay

dismay

dismay