dismayed

USAGE SUMMARY

'dismayed' is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it when you want to express a feeling of being dejected, frustrated, or discouraged. For example: She was dismayed to find out that her application had been denied.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

His stand came as an emotional Uefa president Michel Platini refused to rule out European teams boycotting the World Cup, Fifa's cash cow, if the 79-year-old prevailed in Friday's election and as dismayed sponsors further ramped up the pressure.

The Guardian - Sport

With his party plumbing the sort of depths associated with the second half of the John Major era, David Cameron will be particularly dismayed about the continuing surge in Ukip support, a challenge on the right flank which the prime minister's recent speech proposing a referendum on the EU was designed to head off.

The Guardian

However, cancer charities were dismayed, pointing out that the death toll in ovarian cancer was very high and that the drug was available elsewhere in Europe.

The Guardian

The blacking of the sorting office was called off and defeat stared the dismayed strikers in the face.

The Guardian

We see James Fleet's dismayed Constable, fearing his own wings have been permanently clipped.

The Guardian - Film

She was furious to be dropped as party co-chair in 2012, kept from resigning (says Behr) by a cobbled-up Foreign Office job, and dismayed by a lack of promotion in last month's reshuffle.

The Guardian

On the night, Twitter was filled with journalists speculating that the Obama team was so dismayed that they were avoiding the spin room.

The Guardian

Leading intellectuals from the land of les misérables are reportedly dismayed by this new wave of US-style positive thinking and the pursuit of happiness.

The Guardian - Opinion

The Liberals should reflect very deeply on it … Many Liberals are rightly dismayed that … we are now without integrity.

The Guardian - Opinion

If you'd voted for John McCain because Barack Obama can't be trusted, wouldn't you be a little dismayed to suddenly be told to line up behind your new commander-in-chief?

The Economist

The society on the receiving end of new imports or population inflows benefits as a whole, but those put out of business by competition or dismayed by cultural change feel a disproportionate level of damage, and organise in opposition.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "dismayed" to express a feeling of disappointment combined with surprise or shock. It's more intense than simply being disappointed and suggests a negative impact on one's state of mind.

Common error

While "dismayed" is a valid word, it can sound overly formal or dramatic in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "disappointed" or "upset" in informal settings to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "dismayed" is as an adjective describing a state of feeling discouraged, shocked, or disappointed. It can also function as the past participle of the verb 'dismay', indicating a completed action that caused such a feeling, as Ludwig shows.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "dismayed" is a versatile word used to express a feeling of disappointment combined with surprise or shock. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts, particularly in news and media, business, and scientific writing. While generally neutral in register, it leans slightly toward formal and is best used when conveying a sense of negative emotional impact beyond simple disappointment. Remember that it can sound overly formal in informal contexts and that it's better to use alternative synonyms when being casual. Overall, "dismayed" is a valuable addition to your vocabulary when you wish to express a complex blend of negative emotions in response to an unexpected situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

appalled

Indicates a stronger sense of shock and disapproval compared to simply being dismayed.

aghast

Suggests a feeling of great horror or astonishment, a stronger reaction than simply being dismayed.

disappointed

Suggests a milder form of unhappiness than "dismayed", often due to unmet expectations.

shocked

Emphasizes surprise and often disbelief, which might precede or accompany being dismayed.

disheartened

Emphasizes a loss of spirit or enthusiasm, whereas "dismayed" focuses on immediate discouragement.

taken aback

Highlights the surprise element of being caught off guard, which can lead to dismay.

dejected

Implies a state of low spirits, often prolonged, differing from the potentially transient nature of being dismayed.

discombobulated

Implies confusion and disorientation, which can be a contributing factor to feeling dismayed.

crestfallen

Conveys a sense of sadness and disappointment, often visible in one's appearance, unlike the internal feeling of being dismayed.

alarmed

Focuses on a sense of fear or worry, which might be a component of being dismayed but is not the primary emotion.

FAQs

How can I use "dismayed" in a sentence?

You can use "dismayed" to describe someone's reaction to bad news or an unfavorable situation. For example, "She was "dismayed" to learn that the project had been canceled".

What's a less formal synonym for "dismayed"?

If you're looking for a less formal alternative to "dismayed", consider using words like "disappointed", "upset", or "saddened", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "dismayed" and "disappointed"?

"Dismayed" suggests a stronger feeling of shock or surprise in addition to disappointment. While "disappointed" simply means your expectations were not met, "dismayed" implies a more significant negative impact.

Is it correct to say "I am dismayed by" or "I am dismayed at"?

Both "I am dismayed by" and "I am dismayed at" are grammatically correct, although "dismayed by" is more common. You can also use "dismayed to" followed by a verb, such as "I was "dismayed" to see the damage".