What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
demoralise
Example
The team was demoralized after losing the championship game. [demoralized: verb]
Example
The constant rejections from job applications have demoralized him. [demoralized: adjective]
dismay
Example
I felt a sense of dismay when I heard that my flight was cancelled. [dismay: noun]
Example
The news of the accident dismayed everyone in the community. [dismayed: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Dismay is more commonly used than demoralize in everyday language. Dismay is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while demoralize is less common and often used in specific domains such as sports, military, or work.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between demoralise and dismay?
Both demoralize and dismay are formal words that are appropriate for use in serious or professional contexts. However, demoralize may be more associated with technical or specialized language, while dismay is more general and can be used in various formality levels.
