feeling of dismay

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'feeling of dismay' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a feeling of deep disappointment or discouragement. Example sentence: The news of her failed exam filled her with a feeling of dismay.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

She had a feeling of dismay and embarrassment.

The New Yorker

By its close, one was left with a feeling of dismay and the sensation that no one had helped her.

The Guardian - Music

Not long ago, I realised, with a feeling of dismay, that I'd started to think of some of these contacts – not most of them, but some – as clutter.

The Guardian - Tech

Joan Burton, Ireland's deputy prime minister and Labour leader, who was also on the electoral hustings in Dublin yesterday, summed up the feeling of dismay over the extraordinary and bloody events that had unfolded in a hotel close to the city's airport on Friday afternoon.

The Guardian

With a sinking feeling of dismay, the FBI chief, played by Kevin Bacon, senses that the information gleaned from Whitey is in fact not especially valuable, and that he may simply have been played by his loquacious and confident subordinate, Connolly, who in turn simply has an enduring beta-male need to suck up to Whitey Bulger, the guy who ruled the schoolyard when they were both little kids.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Peter Claire's feelings of dismay increase.

The Guardian - Books

Their feelings of dismay and outrage were real.

Independent

Foreign orders fell by 7%.Thomas Mayer, an economist at Deutsche Bank, detects feelings of dismay in Germany at the economy's deterioration.

The Economist

"We must reach out, we must heal, we must build bridges – because it is clear that some have feelings of dismay, and of loss, and confusion".

The Guardian

We laughed about things, shared our feelings of dismay at the way certain people you'd have expected to have stood up for him have behaved.

The Guardian

Badu expresses a motherly perspective and feelings of dismay and empathy for the subjects in the songs.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a specific event or situation that caused the "feeling of dismay", provide context to enhance the impact and understanding for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "feeling of dismay" repeatedly without providing specific details about the source of the feeling. Over-reliance on this phrase can make your writing seem vague and lacking in emotional depth. Instead, try to elaborate on the specific reasons for the dismay or the consequences of the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "feeling of dismay" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes an emotional state, similar to other feeling-related phrases. Ludwig indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "feeling of dismay" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase to express a sense of disappointment or discouragement. While not exceedingly common, Ludwig's examples show its usage across diverse sources, including news and media outlets. Consider using alternative phrases like "sense of disappointment" or "wave of discouragement" for variety. Remember to provide context when using "feeling of dismay" to enhance clarity and impact. Over-reliance on the phrase without elaboration should be avoided.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sense of disappointment

Replaces "feeling" with "sense" and "dismay" with "disappointment", focusing on the emotional letdown.

wave of discouragement

Uses a metaphorical "wave" to emphasize the intensity and "discouragement" to specify the type of negative emotion.

moment of disillusionment

Focuses on the specific instant of lost belief or ideal, replacing dismay with disillusionment.

pang of disappointment

Emphasizes a sharp, sudden feeling of sadness, using "pang" to convey intensity.

state of despondency

Shifts to describe a prolonged condition of low spirits and hopelessness, with dismay replaced by despondency.

fit of depression

Depression is used instead of dismay, thus the impact is bigger.

attack of sadness

Attack replaces feeling, and emphasizes that it is a short burst of the sentiment.

fit of disappointment

Fit replaces feeling and disappointment replaces dismay.

period of hopelessness

Period replaces feeling and hopelessness replaces dismay.

sense of grievance

Sense replaces feeling and grievance replaces dismay, and emphasizes the anger emotion.

FAQs

What does "feeling of dismay" mean?

The phrase "feeling of dismay" describes a sense of disappointment, discouragement, or alarm in response to something unexpected or negative.

How can I use "feeling of dismay" in a sentence?

You can use "feeling of dismay" to describe someone's reaction to bad news, a setback, or a disappointing event. For example: "She felt a "feeling of dismay" when she learned about the project's cancellation."

What are some alternatives to "feeling of dismay"?

Alternatives include "sense of disappointment", "wave of discouragement", or "moment of disillusionment", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "feeling of dismay" formal or informal language?

"Feeling of dismay" is appropriate in both formal and informal contexts. However, in very formal writing, you might consider more nuanced or descriptive alternatives to enhance the writing's impact.