dismaying 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of dismayingnext
as in disconcerting

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dismaying

2 of 2

verb

present participle of dismay
1
as in discouraging
to lessen the courage or confidence of the imposing climb up the mountain dismayed us even before we got started

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 dismaying
Adjective
Some recent comments from longtime Voicers have been especially dismaying. — Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 4 June 2026 And in the worst cases — a scenario that plays out with dismaying regularity — the executive who championed the project has moved on to another job entirely. — George Heller, HollywoodReporter, 6 May 2026
Verb
Thinking of my mother marooned in her house was dismaying to me. — Nicholas Dawidoff, New Yorker, 10 May 2026 But locals can add a couple of dismaying icons to that roster — homeless tents and panhandlers. — Kevin Fagan, San Francisco Chronicle, 5 Feb. 2016 See All Example Sentences for dismaying
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dismaying
  1. disconcerting
  2. discouraging
  3. alarming
  4. disheartening
  5. frustrating
  6. disturbing
  7. troubling
  8. worrying
Adjective
  • The traditional avenue for dealing with this disconcerting situation would be to hire specialist counselors trained as therapists and psychologists and station them at the schools for ready access by students.
    — Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026
  • In the finale, Matthew’s scenes with K Callan, who plays Ruth, are really disconcerting.
    — Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 18 June 2026
Definition of disconcerting
Verb
  • Today, there are European governments discouraging AC use, power grids ill-equipped to absorb new cooling demand, and a growing tension between climate goals and adaptation needs.
    — Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 30 June 2026
  • Some sites are ‘lost forever’ The list of sites in the heart of Miami that have been found, only to be lost again, is at the same time discouraging and startling.
    — Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 30 June 2026
Definition of discouraging
Verb
  • So, even just the unusual presence of an aircraft in this area made this incident alarming for one resident, Anna, who spoke to CNN near the scene.
    — Steven Jiang, CNN Money, 26 June 2026
  • At the same time, the state’s spending keeps growing quickly as well, alarming the Legislative Analyst’s Office, which advises the Legislature on fiscal matters.
    — Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 25 June 2026
Definition of alarming
Adjective
  • Still, during a summer when the Tigers are trying to resuscitate their season after a disheartening May, process creates only so much comfort.
    — Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 25 June 2026
  • Though 2025 was a disappointing five-loss campaign that opened with a disheartening 34-7 defeat at USF and ended in similar fashion (38-10) against Washington in the LA Bowl, Spencer Danielson’s Broncos nonetheless won another Mountain West title.
    — Tom Layberger, Forbes.com, 18 June 2026
Definition of disheartening
Verb
  • But Algo’s hyper-logical, computerised process of consistently picking the favourites to win was undone in the second match of the day, with Ghana frustrating England in a 0-0 draw.
    — The Athletic Soccer Experts, New York Times, 24 June 2026
  • The documentary’s contradiction is right there, enthralling us with the wild achievements Potter pulled off and frustrating us with his bombast, leading us to ponder whether, as The Dark Wizard suggests, either could exist without the other.
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 7 May 2026
Definition of frustrating
Verb
  • The appeal is largely practical, since powders travel well in a bag, don’t leave hands greasy and can be dusted on without disturbing whatever’s already on your skin.
    — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson July 1, Charlotte Observer, 1 July 2026
  • The cream bronzer blends effortlessly underneath without disturbing the layers.
    — Corein Carter, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
Definition of disturbing
Adjective
  • The June 14 shooting has outraged community members and prompted protests in the small town of Senatobia, where residents point to a string of troubling encounters with police in recent years.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 1 July 2026
  • This year’s line-hardening—by my count, some twenty-three per cent of cases—is both remarkable and troubling.
    — Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 30 June 2026
Definition of troubling
Verb
  • This common form of anxiety arises when dogs are left alone for an amount of time, often worrying that they will permanently be left behind.
    — BestReviews, Mercury News, 2 July 2026
  • Taken together, the actions signal a worrying return to a reality where people with disabilities are pushed to the margins of society, advocates said.
    — Annie Ma, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026
Definition of worrying

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Cite this Entry

“Dismaying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dismaying. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of dismaying for Spanish Speakers

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