What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
dismay
Example
I felt a sense of dismay when I saw the low grade on my test. [dismay: noun]
Example
She looked at the damage to her car with dismay. [dismay: noun]
Example
The news of the accident filled me with dismay. [dismay: noun]
despair
Example
He fell into despair after losing his job. [despair: noun]
Example
The family was in despair after the death of their loved one. [despair: noun]
Example
She was filled with despair when she realized she had no way out of her financial troubles. [despair: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Dismay is more commonly used than despair in everyday language. Dismay is a more versatile word that covers a wider range of contexts, while despair is a stronger and more specific emotion that is used less frequently.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between dismay and despair?
Both dismay and despair can be used in formal and informal contexts, but despair may be considered more formal due to its intensity and specificity.
