dismayed

[ dis-meyd ]

adjective

1. thoroughly disheartened, as by sudden danger or trouble:

   When he was sick and in prison, and the non-cooperation movement ebbed, Gandhi was not dismayed or discouraged.

2. surprised and disillusioned or disappointed:

   Many were dismayed at the way the ad trivialized the Tibetan people's struggle for freedom and survival.

3. alarmed or perturbed:

   As a teacher in a K-8 school, I am extremely dismayed at the talk of more unstable funding for education.

verb

1. the simple past tense and past participle of dismay ( def ).

Other Words From

• dis·mayed·ness [dis-, meyd, -nis, -, mey, -id-], noun
• un·dis·mayed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of dismayed¹

dismay ( def ) + -ed ²( def )

Example Sentences

Serious scientists are understandably dismayed about the damage that Kennedy and Trump could do to the nation’s public health infrastructure — indeed, to public health itself.

From Los Angeles Times

In the case of Wittich, the fact that decision was made just three races before the end of the season and with both championships still unresolved has dismayed many in F1.

From BBC

Madison would have been dismayed by their failure to display branch loyalty.

From Salon

He, for one, was dismayed at last week’s election result.

From BBC

But I’m dismayed that it was such a monumental effort and wonder how many other men committing crimes go unpunished because of the inefficiency, the failures and the delays.

From BBC

Related Words

• afraid
• agitated
• anguished
• anxious
• apprehensive
• edgy
• fearful
• impatient
• insecure
• irritable
• jittery
• nervous
• precarious
• restless
• shaky
• strained
• suspicious
• tense
• troubled
• uncomfortable