Dismay Definition & Meaning | Britannica Dictionary (original) (raw)

Britannica Dictionary definition of DISMAY

[+ object]

:

to cause (someone) to feel very worried, disappointed, or upset

• Her choice of career dismays her parents.
• What especially dismayed [=_upset, bothered_] me was that no one else protested.

— dismayed

adjective

[more dismayed; most dismayed]

• She was very dismayed to learn/discover that he was so ill.
• I was dismayed by/at his indifference.

— dismaying

adjective

[more dismaying; most dismaying]

• her dismaying indifference

— dismayingly

/dɪsˈmejɪŋli/

adverb

• dismayingly indifferent

Britannica Dictionary definition of DISMAY

[noncount]

:

a strong feeling of being worried, disappointed, or upset

• His comments were met with cries of dismay.
• They watched in dismay as the house burned.
• Much to the dismay of her fans, she announced her retirement immediately after the book's release.
• To my dismay, I did not get chosen for the job.
• We listened with dismay to the news of the accident.