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Dismayed: meaning, definitions and examples

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dismayed

 

[ dɪsˈmeɪd ]

Adjective / Verb
Context #1 | Adjective

feeling

feeling of being worried, disappointed, or upset because of something bad that has happened

Synonyms

discouraged, disheartened, unsettled.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
dismayed

This word is suitable for describing a strong feeling of disappointment or shock when something unexpected happens.

  • She was dismayed to find out that her flight had been canceled.
  • The sudden change in plans left him feeling dismayed.
disheartened

This word is appropriate when expressing a loss of hope or motivation, usually after facing a setback. It has a slightly stronger connotation than 'discouraged'.

  • The team felt disheartened after losing their fourth game in a row.
  • She was disheartened by the negative feedback on her presentation.
discouraged

Use this word when someone loses confidence or enthusiasm, often because of repeated failures or difficulties.

  • After failing the exam three times, he felt very discouraged.
  • The lack of support from her colleagues left her feeling discouraged.
unsettled

This word is best used to describe someone who feels anxious, disturbed, or uneasy, often due to uncertainty or changes.

  • He felt unsettled by the news of the merger.
  • The unexpected visitor left her feeling unsettled.

Examples of usage

  • I was dismayed by the news of the company's bankruptcy.
  • She felt dismayed when she realized she had missed the deadline.
  • The team was dismayed by their defeat in the final match.
Context #2 | Verb

action

to cause someone to feel worried, disappointed, or upset

Synonyms

distress, perturb, trouble.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
dismayed

Use this word when someone is feeling a mix of disappointment and sadness due to an unexpected event or outcome.

  • She was dismayed to find out that her friend had lied to her.
  • He was dismayed by the sudden cancellation of the concert.
distress

This word is used when someone is experiencing severe anxiety, pain, or sorrow. It indicates a serious level of mental or emotional suffering.

  • The family was in great distress after the house fire.
  • Seeing her child in pain caused her considerable distress.
trouble

Use this word when describing something that causes worry or concern, often over a situation that seems problematic or challenging.

  • The student's declining grades troubled his parents.
  • The unending traffic troubles the residents of the city.
perturb

This word is appropriate when something makes someone feel anxious or unsettled. Usually, it is less intense than 'distress'.

  • The unexpected noise in the middle of the night perturbed him.
  • Her boss's abrupt request perturbed her, and she couldn't concentrate.

Examples of usage

  • The sudden change in plans dismayed everyone.
  • His rude behavior dismayed his colleagues.

Translations

Translations of the word "dismayed" in other languages:

🇵🇹 consternado

🇮🇳 हतप्रभ

🇩🇪 bestürzt

🇮🇩 terkejut

🇺🇦 збентежений

🇵🇱 przerażony

🇯🇵 愕然とした

🇫🇷 consterné

🇪🇸 consternado

🇹🇷 dehşete düşmüş

🇰🇷 당황한

🇸🇦 مذعور

🇨🇿 zděšený

🇸🇰 zhrozený

🇨🇳 惊愕

🇸🇮 osupel

🇮🇸 skelfdur

🇰🇿 абдыраған

🇬🇪 დამაბნეული

🇦🇿 çaşqın

🇲🇽 consternado

Etymology

The word 'dismayed' originated from the Old French word 'desmaier' which means 'to dismay'. It entered the English language in the late 13th century. The prefix 'dis-' indicates negation or reversal, while 'may' comes from the Old French 'maier' meaning 'to may' or 'to have power'. Therefore, 'dismayed' suggests a reversal of power or the feeling of powerlessness.

See also: dismaying.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #17,024, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.