dismay
verb (used with object)
to break down the courage of completely, as by sudden danger or trouble; dishearten thoroughly; daunt.
was dismaying
-
past progressiveof dismay.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Enrico Letta, the leader of the left-wing Democratic Party, said what happened was "dismaying".
From BBC ● Jul. 30, 2022
The episode was dismaying to Luria, particularly at a time when anti-Semitic incidents in the U.S. are spiking.
From Washington Post ● Nov. 21, 2019
One lawyer, who graduated from an Ivy League law school in 1994, recalled that her own experience was dismaying and disorienting.
From New York Times ● Nov. 21, 2016
So, although it was not unexpected, it was dismaying to hear today that both he and his executive director, Nick Starr, are stepping down in the next two years.
From The Guardian ● Apr. 10, 2013
It was dismaying to be chosen like a new bauble and then forgotten, a mere passing fancy.
From "Ophelia" by Lisa Klein
