dismay at

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "dismay at" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing a feeling of disappointment or concern about a particular situation or event. Example: "She expressed her dismay at the sudden changes in the company's policy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

There was dismay at the assigned sentiment.

The New York Times

Conservation groups expressed dismay at the directive.

The New York Times

BAA expressed its dismay at the findings.

The New York Times

Many residents expressed dismay at the new restrictions.

The New York Times

International creditors have expressed dismay at such disclosures.

The New York Times

Mr. Bahl expressed dismay at the trend as well.

The New York Times

Some readers of The Times expressed dismay at the revelation.

The New York Times

Other parents shared my dismay at the loss of CBeebies.

The New York Times

Neighbors and local business owners expressed dismay at the discovery.

The New York Times

Russian commentators have expressed dismay at Magnitsky's "tragic death".

The Guardian - Business

There will be genuine dismay at the White House.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "dismay at" to express a sense of disappointment mixed with concern or shock. It is most effective when describing reactions to unexpected or negative events.

Common error

Avoid overusing "dismay at" when a simpler word like "disappointment" or "concern" would suffice. While "dismay at" adds a layer of intensity, it can sound overly dramatic in everyday contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dismay at" functions as a noun phrase followed by a preposition, often used to express a negative reaction of disappointment, shock, or concern towards a specific event, situation, or piece of information. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage in expressing negative sentiments.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

77%

Wiki

8%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "dismay at" is a common phrase used to express disappointment, concern, or shock regarding a particular event or situation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and its prevalent use in news and media. While it's a versatile phrase, consider its intensity and choose a milder alternative like "disappointment regarding" or "concern over" for less serious contexts. To avoid overuse, vary your phrasing and ensure it fits the overall tone of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

disappointment regarding

Replaces "dismay" with "disappointment" and "at" with "regarding", slightly softening the emotional intensity.

displeasure with

Highlights dissatisfaction with something, substituting "dismay" with "displeasure" and changing the preposition to "with".

concern over

Substitutes "dismay" with "concern" to focus on worry rather than disappointment, using "over" instead of "at".

frustration with

Conveys annoyance and impatience, replacing "dismay" with "frustration" while maintaining the preposition "with".

apprehension about

Emphasizes anxiety about a future event, using "apprehension" in place of "dismay" and shifting the preposition to "about".

dissatisfaction toward

Expresses discontent directed at something, using "dissatisfaction" and "toward" for a more pointed sentiment.

regret about

Focuses on sorrow about something that has happened, replacing "dismay" with "regret" and using "about".

resentment toward

Implies bitterness and indignation, substituting "dismay" with "resentment" and using "toward" for directed negativity.

unease concerning

Indicates a lack of comfort regarding a situation, using "unease" and "concerning" for a more formal tone.

grief over

Expresses deep sorrow, using "grief" instead of "dismay" and changing the preposition to "over" to emphasize the cause of sadness.

FAQs

How do you use "dismay at" in a sentence?

You can use "dismay at" to express disappointment or concern about something. For example, "They expressed "dismay at" the new policy".

What's the difference between "dismay at" and "disappointment at"?

"Dismay at" suggests a stronger feeling of shock or upset than "disappointment at". "Dismay" implies a sense of alarm or distress, while "disappointment" is a milder form of dissatisfaction.

What can I say instead of "dismay at"?

You can use alternatives like "concern over", "disappointment regarding", or "apprehension about", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always appropriate to use "dismay at"?

While grammatically correct, "dismay at" might not always be the most appropriate choice. Consider the context and the intensity of the emotion you want to convey. In less serious situations, a milder term like "disappointment" may be more suitable.