He was dismayed at the cynicism of the youngsters. [+ at]
He was dismayed to find that his hands were shaking.
More Synonyms of dismay
dismay in British English
(dɪsˈmeɪ)
verb(transitive)
1.
to fill with apprehension or alarm
2.
to fill with depression or discouragement
noun
3.
consternation or agitation
Derived forms
dismaying (disˈmaying)
adjective
Word origin
C13: from Old French desmaiier (unattested), from des-dis-1 + esmayer to frighten, ultimately of Germanic origin; see may1
dismay in American English
(dɪsˈmeɪ)
verb transitive
1.
to make afraid or discouraged at the prospect of trouble or danger; fill with apprehension or alarm; daunt
noun
2.
a loss of courage or confidence at the prospect of trouble or danger; consternation
SYNONYMY NOTE: dismay suggests fear or, esp. in modern usage, discouragement at the prospect of some difficultyor problem which one does not quite know how to resolve [dismayed at his lack of understanding]; appall suggests terror or (now more commonly) dismay at a shocking but apparently unalterablesituation [an appalling death rate]; horrify suggests horror or loathing (or, in a weakened sense, irritation) at that which shocksor offends one [horrified at the suggestion]; daunt implies a becoming disheartened in the performance of an act that requires some courage[never daunted by adversity]
Word origin
ME dismayen < Anglo-Fr *desmaier < des-, intens. + OFr esmayer, to deprive of power < VL *exmagare < L ex-, from + Gmc base *mag, power: see main
Examples of 'dismay' in a sentence
dismay
The detention caused surprise and dismay in political and business circles.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Pay rises for senior allies caused yet more dismay.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
They've been dismayed to discover that the public is rather interested in whether the programme does any good.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
Yet I was dismayed to find a fridge the size of a suitcase in our first flat.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
I'M dismayed to see petrol prices will yet again be hiked up.
The Sun (2013)
Many will be dismayed to discover these are not already part of routine procedures.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Lawyers for alleged victims reacted with anger and dismay at the delay.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
That about turn on moves towards making shared parenting a right caused dismay.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Marilla was dismayed at finding herself inclined to laugh over the recollection.
LM Montgomery Anne of Green Gables (1872)
There was also dismay about yet another decline in languages.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
But his attack drew dismay and anger.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
MPs and security experts also reacted with dismay.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
But patients are also dismayed at the possibility of losing cancer and cardiac services on their doorstep.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
This caused dismay for club members.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
There was mainly dismay and anger.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Does no one in football feel the dismay, the anger?
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
We are also protecting ourselves against sadness, dismay and guilt.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
But this was disbelief mingled with dismay, fear or plain bewilderment.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
It was the drawn-out nature of the process that has caused such dismay.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
He caused dismay within Germany and outrage beyond.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
He seemed both surprised and dismayed to see Bardo looming above him like a mountain aboutto explode.
Zindell, David The Broken God (1993)
I hope more viewers write to express their dismay and anger.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
When she arrives, she is dismayed to find the same worship of appearance that she sought to escape.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
He was dismayed to find that dozens defied him to vote for the new president, exposing a deep rift.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
He added: 'I am dismayed to see a hard core of repeat offenders back in the system.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
A previously intrepid jockey, for example, may be dismayed to discover just before a dangerous race that his thigh is paralysed.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
In other languages
dismay
British English: dismay NOUN
Dismay is a strong feeling of fear, worry, or sadness that is caused by something unpleasant and unexpected.
Local councillors have reacted with dismay and indignation.
American English: dismay
Brazilian Portuguese: consternação
Chinese: 恐慌
European Spanish: consternación
French: consternation
German: Bestürzung
Italian: costernazione
Japanese: うろたえ
Korean: 당혹감
European Portuguese: consternação
Latin American Spanish: consternación
Chinese translation of 'dismay'
dismay
(dɪsˈmeɪ)
n(u)
气(氣)馁(餒) (qìněi)
vt
使气(氣)馁(餒) (shǐ qìněi)
much to my dismay颇(頗)令我失望 (pō lìng wǒ shīwàng)
1 (verb)
Definition
to fill with alarm or depression
The committee was dismayed by what it had been told.
Synonyms
alarm
We could not see what had alarmed him.
frighten
Most children are frightened by the sight of blood.
scare
She's just trying to scare me.
panic
The dogs were panicked by the noise.
distress
I did not want to frighten or distress her.
terrify
The thought of a slow, painful death terrified me.
appal
Such a waste of money appals me.
startle
The telephone startled him.
horrify
a crime trend that will horrify the community
paralyse
unnerve
The news about Dermot had unnerved me.
put the wind up (someone) (informal)
give (someone) a turn (informal)
affright
fill with consternation
2 (verb)
Definition
to fill with alarm or depression
He was dismayed to learn that he wasn't a very nice person.
Synonyms
disappoint
He said that he was surprised and disappointed by the decision.
upset
She warned me not to say anything to upset him.
sadden
The cruelty in the world saddens me incredibly.
dash
They had their hopes raised and then dashed.
discourage
Don't let this setback discourage you.
put off
daunt
Nothing evil could daunt them.
disillusion
let down
vex
chagrin
dishearten
These conditions dishearten people and undermine their hope.
dispirit
disenchant
disgruntle
1 (noun)
Definition
a feeling of alarm or depression
They reacted to the news with dismay.
Synonyms
alarm
The news was greeted with alarm by MPs.
fear
I shivered with fear as darkness fell.
horror
I felt numb with horror.
panic
The earthquake has caused panic among the population.
anxiety
His voice was full of anxiety.
distress
terror
I shook with terror whenever I flew in an aeroplane.
dread
She thought with dread of the cold winters to come.
fright
To hide my fright I asked a question.
unease
He tried to appear casual, but he couldn't conquer his unease.
apprehension
It reflects real anger and apprehension about the future.
nervousness
I smiled in an attempt to hide my nervousness.
agitation
He was in a state of emotional agitation.
consternation
His decision caused consternation among his colleagues.
trepidation (formal)
It was with some trepidation that I viewed the prospect.
uneasiness
I felt a great uneasiness about meeting her again.
2 (noun)
Definition
a feeling of alarm or depression
Much to her dismay, he did not call.
Synonyms
disappointment
They expressed their disappointment at what had happened.
upset
distress
frustration
a man fed up with the frustrations of everyday life
dissatisfaction
job dissatisfaction among teachers
disillusionment
There is a general sense of disillusionment with the government.
chagrin
Much to his chagrin, she didn't remember him at all.
disenchantment
There is growing disenchantment with the government.
discouragement
There's a sense of discouragement creeping into the workforce.