Dismally: meaning, definitions and examples

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dismally

 

[ ˈdɪz.mə.li ]

Adverb
Context #1 | Adverb

feeling or mood

In a gloomy and depressing manner; in a way that lacks hope or enthusiasm.

Synonyms

depressingly, gloomily, hopelessly.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
dismally

Used to describe something in a very sad or disappointing way. Often related to performance or results.

  • The team performed dismally in the championship.
  • The weather was dismally gray today.
gloomily

Describes something that is dark, depressing, or pessimistic. It often relates to both physical and emotional states.

  • She stared gloomily out of the window.
  • The room was lit gloomily.
depressingly

Refers to something that is very sad or makes you feel very unhappy. It often describes situations that affect one's mood negatively.

  • The news was depressingly bad.
  • The movie was depressingly sad.
hopelessly

Used to describe a situation that seems to have no chance of success or improvement. Can also describe a strong emotional feeling.

  • He felt hopelessly trapped in his job.
  • She was hopelessly in love with him.

Examples of usage

  • He looked at her dismally, knowing that she would never forgive him.
  • The rain fell dismally, adding to the somber atmosphere of the funeral.
Context #2 | Adverb

performance or outcome

In a way that is very bad or disappointing; in a manner indicating failure or lack of success.

Synonyms

abysmally, badly, poorly.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
dismally

Use this word to describe something that is done in a depressing or dreary manner. Often has a negative connotation.

  • The weather was dismally rainy, ruining our plans for the picnic.
  • His performance was dismally inadequate, leading to poor results.
poorly

This word is often used to describe performance, conditions, or quality that are substandard or unsatisfactory. It implies a lack of adequacy or effectiveness.

  • He did poorly on his exams and missed the passing grade.
  • The team performed poorly because they were not well-prepared.
badly

Use this word in general situations to indicate poor performance or quality. It can describe a wide range of negative outcomes.

  • She played the piano badly in her first concert.
  • The project was handled badly, resulting in numerous errors.
abysmally

This word is appropriate for situations where something is performed extremely poorly or at a very low standard. It often carries a sense of being below even the lowest expectations.

  • The restaurant's service was abysmally bad, making us wait for hours.
  • The student's grades were abysmally low, causing concern among the teachers.

Examples of usage

  • The team played dismally, losing every match of the season.
  • The company's profits were dismally low, leading to layoffs.

Translations

Translations of the word "dismally" in other languages:

🇵🇹 lamentavelmente

🇮🇳 दुखद रूप से

🇩🇪 kläglich

🇮🇩 dengan suram

🇺🇦 похмуро

🇵🇱 żałośnie

🇯🇵 みじめに

🇫🇷 lamentablement

🇪🇸 lamentablemente

🇹🇷 üzücü bir şekilde

🇰🇷 우울하게

🇸🇦 بشكل بائس

🇨🇿 nešťastně

🇸🇰 nešťastne

🇨🇳 悲惨地

🇸🇮 žalostno

🇮🇸 örvæntingarfullt

🇰🇿 қапалы түрде

🇬🇪 სევდიანი

🇦🇿 kədərli şəkildə

🇲🇽 lamentablemente

Etymology

The word 'dismally' originated from the Middle English word 'dismal', which meant unlucky or disastrous. It evolved over time to represent a feeling of gloominess or disappointment. The adverb form 'dismally' gained popularity in the 19th century, reflecting a sense of hopelessness or failure.

See also: dismal.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #28,634, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.