in dismay

USAGE SUMMARY

"in dismay" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express a strong feeling of disappointment, shock, or distress. Example: He looked around the ruined building in dismay.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The crowd roared in dismay.

The New Yorker

He watched in dismay as crime surged in Indian Territory, Texas cattlemen swept through, and white sharecroppers gained a toehold.

Princeton University

Snowden stands up in dismay.

The New Yorker

Nasser looks on in dismay.

The New York Times

The others nodded in dismay.

The New York Times

As a Muslim, one watches in dismay.

Independent

"Julia?" Ms. Hempel cried in dismay.

The New Yorker

She shook her head in dismay.

The New Yorker

The batsman crouched in dismay.

The Guardian - Sport

The imam shook his head in dismay.

The New York Times - Magazine

The nurse shook her head in dismay.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in dismay" to clearly convey a feeling of disappointment and discouragement in response to an unfavorable situation. It adds a layer of emotional depth to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "in dismay" when describing minor inconveniences or mild annoyances. This phrase conveys a significant level of disappointment or distress and is not suitable for trivial situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in dismay" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs to describe the manner in which an action is performed. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and serves to add emotional depth to the description of an action or state. Examples from Ludwig show its use across various contexts, enhancing the reader's understanding of the emotional impact of a situation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Academia

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "in dismay" is a prepositional phrase used to express a strong sense of disappointment, shock, or distress. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and broad applicability, with common usage across news media and academic writing. While versatile, it's important to reserve this phrase for situations that genuinely evoke significant disappointment, rather than mild annoyance. For alternative expressions, consider "with disappointment" or "with concern", depending on the specific nuance. Understanding the appropriate context and intensity allows for effective communication of emotional reactions in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in disappointment

A slightly more direct and less emphatic alternative.

with disappointment

Replaces "dismay" with a more general term for disappointment, affecting the intensity of the emotion.

with discouragement

Highlights the loss of motivation or hope associated with the dismay.

to their dismay

Emphasizes that the dismay is felt by a group of people.

to one's disappointment

Uses a possessive pronoun to personalize the feeling of disappointment.

with consternation

Implies a more agitated or bewildered state of dismay.

with concern

Shifts the focus to worry or apprehension rather than outright disappointment.

with resignation

Suggests acceptance of a negative outcome, reducing the sense of active dismay.

with alarm

Indicates a stronger sense of fear or apprehension than simple dismay.

incredulously

Focuses on disbelief and shock rather than the sadness of dismay.

FAQs

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

You can use "in dismay" to describe someone's reaction to a disappointing or shocking situation. For example, "She stared at the broken vase "in dismay"."

What are some alternatives to saying "in dismay"?

Alternatives to "in dismay" include phrases like "with disappointment", "with concern", or "to one's disappointment", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "in dismay"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. "In dismay" is a prepositional phrase that functions as an adverbial, modifying a verb by describing the manner in which an action is performed.

What is the difference between "in dismay" and "in horror"?

"In dismay" suggests disappointment and discouragement, while "in horror" implies a strong feeling of fear and shock. The choice depends on whether the situation evokes sadness or fear.