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dismay

[dɪsˈmeɪ]

dismay Definition

  • 1a feeling of unhappiness and disappointment
  • 2to cause someone to feel unhappy and disappointed

Using dismay: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "dismay" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

  • Example

    The news filled her with dismay.

  • Example

    I was dismayed by the results of the election.

  • Example

    The team's poor performance has dismayed their fans.

  • Example

    He was dismayed to find that his car had been stolen.

dismay Synonyms and Antonyms

Idioms Using dismay

  • take aback (or back) in dismay

    to surprise or shock someone so much that they feel unhappy and disappointed

    Example

    The teacher was taken aback in dismay by the student's rude behavior.

  • throw into confusion (or dismay)

    to cause a situation to become chaotic or disorganized, leading to unhappiness and disappointment

    Example

    The sudden power outage threw the entire office into confusion and dismay.

  • strike with dismay

    to cause someone to feel unhappy and disappointed, often suddenly

    Example

    The news of the accident struck us all with dismay.

Phrases with dismay

  • feeling unhappy and disappointed

    Example

    The employees were in dismay when they heard about the company's bankruptcy.

  • to cause someone to feel unhappy and disappointed

    Example

    The sudden change in plans threw him into dismay.

  • in a way that shows unhappiness and disappointment

    Example

    She looked at him with dismay when he told her the bad news.

Origins of dismay

from Old French 'desmaiier', meaning 'to overcome with terror'

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Summary: dismay in Brief

'Dismay' [dɪsˈmeɪ] is a noun or verb that refers to a feeling of unhappiness and disappointment, or to cause someone to feel unhappy and disappointed. It can be used in phrases like 'in dismay,' 'throw into dismay,' and 'with dismay.' Idioms include 'take aback in dismay,' 'throw into confusion (or dismay),' and 'strike with dismay.' Synonyms include 'disappointment,' 'unhappiness,' and 'discouragement.'

How do native speakers use this expression?