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

The drivers were dismayed by Ben Sulayem's comments - because any swear words used over team radio are bleeped out before being broadcast, and because they feel that allowing the public to hear the transmissions gives an added dimension to the sport by revealing the characters of the drivers in extreme situations.

From BBC

It might be hard this week to take much solace in these lessons if you’re dismayed at the prospect of President Trump and Republicans in Washington turning back the clock on climate change regulations, LGBTQ+ protections and other measures that most Californians embrace.

From Los Angeles Times

The L.A. resident said he was dismayed by the prospect of Hochman instituting “tough on crime” policies.

From Los Angeles Times

“I didn’t start drinking, but I was scared and completely taken aback by people’s reactions. I was dismayed by the fact that for as long as I resemble whoever, whatever I resemble, people are gonna look at me like I’m a zoo animal. And lots of people are going to be nice to me, even if they’re not nice people, and I will never know. And that hits you hard, especially if you’re really young and still searching for what is normal.”

From Los Angeles Times

International aid charities were dismayed at what they said was a cut worth almost £2bn in the UK’s aid priorities overseas.

From BBC

Related Words

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