dismayed 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of dismayednext
1
as in upset

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2
as in aghast

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dismayed

2 of 2

verb

past tense of dismay
1
as in discouraged
to lessen the courage or confidence of the imposing climb up the mountain dismayed us even before we got started

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2
as in alarmed
to trouble the mind of; to make uneasy parents who became increasingly dismayed by their son's foundering marriage

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of dismayed
Adjective
The American public is dismayed and frustrated that Congress is not stepping up to protect our nation against the extreme tyranny of this administration. — Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2026 Magic Mountain removed Revolution’s simple lap bars in 1992 and installed over-the-shoulder restraints — resulting in head-banging headaches for dismayed riders and making the coaster painfully unrideable. — Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 4 May 2026
Verb
As a former school principal, I was dismayed and disappointed that there was no mention of parental responsibility. — Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 20 Sep. 2026 The book marshalled substantial scientific evidence, and reinforced the intuitions of parents dismayed by their phone-addled children. — Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 4 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for dismayed
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dismayed
  1. upset
  2. aghast
  3. discouraged
  4. alarmed
  5. irritated
  6. appalled
  7. frustrated
  8. disturbed
Adjective
  • Legend has it Michael Jackson asked his security to keep fans away from him at a local dive bar, only to become upset when the locals were all too good at treating him like a normal person.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Ultimately, after he was found out to be a con artist, according to his critics, Minnesota media appears to be more so upset that Jamal was not acting in the Somali community’s best interests.
    — Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of upset
Adjective
  • Each of these scandals generated countless headlines from an aghast press and commentariat class.
    — David Mack, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2026
  • At first Burgomeister is aghast at such a horrific proposal and rebuffs her offer.
    — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of aghast
Verb
  • The expert panel also found insufficient data to set strict healthy reference ranges for the abundance of individual microbial species, and discouraged testing companies from offering therapeutic advice based on results.
    — Ashley Lynch, Charlotte Observer, 6 Oct. 2026
  • The panel also said there isn’t enough information to establish strict healthy reference ranges for the abundance of individual microbial species, and discouraged testing companies from providing therapeutic advice based on results.
    — Ashley Lynch, Sacbee.com, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of discouraged
Verb
  • Ayesha Bell Hardaway, a former prosecutor who is a professor of law at Case Western Reserve University in Ohio, is alarmed by the dramatic variation across the country.
    — Tim Stelloh, NBC news, 2 Oct. 2026
  • In voicemails played in court, they were alarmed by not hearing from Machado and her daughters, Julia and Daniela.
    — Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of alarmed
Adjective
  • The addition of aloe vera juice and hyaluronic acid helps soothe and hydrate skin that may feel a little irritated.
    — Glamour, Glamour, 2 Oct. 2026
  • If your tears lack oil, your eyes can become irritated and dry more easily.
    — Nancy LeBrun, Verywell Health, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of irritated
Adjective
  • Springfield is less appalled that Reacher has just killed a man than that Reacher was brazen enough to do it in front of him.
    — Chris Klimek, Vulture, 9 Sep. 2026
  • The judge was seemingly so appalled that the court took the unusual step of releasing the video.
    — Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 7 May 2026
Definition of appalled
Verb
  • The churn has frustrated the nonprofit academy, which wanted a consistent partner to help bolster its relationships with advertisers, talent and viewers.
    — Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026
  • But they also are frustrated by officials being more willing to actively become part of the game.
    — Armando Salguero OutKick, FOXNews.com, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of frustrated
Verb
  • People, wildlife and domestic animals get valley fever when the soil in these burrows is disturbed, by a dog digging, a kick of the boot, a shovel, construction equipment, wind or wildfire.
    — Susanne Rust Follow, Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 2026
  • Clean Regularly Spiders don’t like to be disturbed, so an unused area of your porch is likely to be attractive real estate.
    — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of disturbed

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Cite this Entry

“Dismayed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dismayed. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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