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

• dismaying adjective
• dismayingly adverb

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

He also expressed dismay at Kennedy’s decision to cancel $500 million in contracts to develop vaccines using mRNA technology, which Cassidy said was key to the operation.

From Los Angeles Times

Decorative flamboyance or even a sink mounted too high left him dismayed.

From Los Angeles Times

Three families living in villages near York told the BBC the decision had caused "worry" and "dismay" during the summer holidays.

From BBC

Through that work, Ross toured the Red Oak Victory and was dismayed to see the signs of its disrepair.

From Los Angeles Times

He too was dismayed to learn that it had died Friday before even a committee vote.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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