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dismay

dis·may
D d

Transcription

    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • UK Pronunciation
    • UK IPA
    • [dis-mey]
    • /dɪsˈmeɪ/
    • /dɪˈsmeɪ/
    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • [dis-mey]
    • /dɪsˈmeɪ/

Definitions of dismay word

  • verb with object dismay to break down the courage of completely, as by sudden danger or trouble; dishearten thoroughly; daunt: The surprise attack dismayed the enemy. 1
  • verb with object dismay to surprise in such a manner as to disillusion: She was dismayed to learn of their disloyalty. 1
  • verb with object dismay to alarm; perturb: The new law dismayed some of the more conservative politicians. 1
  • noun dismay sudden or complete loss of courage; utter disheartenment. 1
  • noun dismay sudden disillusionment. 1
  • noun dismay agitation of mind; perturbation; alarm. 1

Information block about the term

Origin of dismay

First appearance:

before 1275
One of the 13% oldest English words
1275-1325; Middle English desmay (noun), de(s)mayen, dismayen (v.) < presumed AF alteration, by prefix change, of Old French esmaier to trouble, frighten < Vulgar Latin *exmagāre to disable, deprive of strength, equivalent to ex- ex-1 + *magāre < Germanic *magan to be able to; see may1

Historical Comparancy

Parts of speech for Dismay

noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation

dismay popularity

A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 92% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
This word is included in each student's vocabulary. Most likely there is at least one movie with this word in the title.

dismay usage trend in Literature

This diagram is provided by Google Ngram Viewer

Synonyms for dismay

verb dismay

  • dispirit — to deprive of spirit, hope, enthusiasm, etc.; depress; discourage; dishearten.
  • rattle — to give out or cause a rapid succession of short, sharp sounds, as in consequence of agitation and repeated concussions: The windows rattled in their frames.
  • frighten — to make afraid or fearful; throw into a fright; terrify; scare.
  • puzzle — a toy, problem, or other contrivance designed to amuse by presenting difficulties to be solved by ingenuity or patient effort.
  • unnerve — to deprive of courage, strength, determination, or confidence; upset: Fear unnerved him.

noun dismay

  • disappointmentCape, a cape in SW Washington state, projecting into the Pacific Ocean on the N of the mouth of the Columbia River.
  • shock — a thick, bushy mass, as of hair.
  • consternation — Consternation is a feeling of anxiety or fear.
  • apprehension — Apprehension is a feeling of fear that something bad may happen.
  • panic — Also called panic grass. any grass of the genus Panicum, many species of which bear edible grain.

adjective dismay

  • underwhelm — to fail to interest or astonish: After all the ballyhoo, most critics were underwhelmed by the movie.

Antonyms for dismay

verb dismay

  • appease — If you try to appease someone, you try to stop them from being angry by giving them what they want.
  • placate — to appease or pacify, especially by concessions or conciliatory gestures: to placate an outraged citizenry.
  • soothe — to tranquilize or calm, as a person or the feelings; relieve, comfort, or refresh: soothing someone's anger; to soothe someone with a hot drink.
  • calm — A calm person does not show or feel any worry, anger, or excitement.
  • comfort — If you are doing something in comfort, you are physically relaxed and contented, and are not feeling any pain or other unpleasant sensations.

noun dismay

  • assurance — If you give someone an assurance that something is true or will happen, you say that it is definitely true or will definitely happen, in order to make them feel less worried.
  • beauty — Beauty is the state or quality of being beautiful.
  • calmness — without rough motion; still or nearly still: a calm sea.
  • composure — Composure is the appearance or feeling of calm and the ability to control your feelings.
  • confidence — If you have confidence in someone, you feel that you can trust them.

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See also

Matching words

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