Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Causing consternation, alarm, or a sudden loss of courage or confidence: Describes something that is deeply upsetting, discouraging, or frightening, often because it is unexpected or reveals an unpleasant truth.

Usage

The adjective "dismaying" is used to describe a situation, event, fact, or sight that provokes feelings of shock, dread, or profound disappointment. It emphasizes the emotional impact of something that is alarming or appalling.

Examples

• The dismaying news of the budget cuts spread quickly through the department.
• It was dismaying to see how much plastic waste had washed up on the once-pristine beach.
• The team's dismaying performance in the first half cost them the championship.
• She looked at the dismaying state of her flooded basement and sighed.

Advanced Usage

• Used with abstract nouns: Often collocates with words like , , , , , , .
  • The dismaying prospect of another long delay frustrated the passengers.
• Used in formal or literary contexts: To convey a strong sense of discouragement or alarm.
  • The historian presented the dismaying statistics of the war's civilian casualties.

Variants and Related Words

• Dismay (verb/noun): To cause someone to feel consternation and distress / A sudden or complete loss of courage in the face of trouble or danger.
  • The results dismayed the researchers. (verb)
  • She watched in dismay as the vase shattered. (noun)
• Dismayed (adjective): Describing the feeling of being filled with consternation and distress.
  • The dismayed citizens demanded an explanation from the council.

Synonyms

• Alarming: Worrying or disturbing.
• Appalling: Causing shock or dismay.
• Daunting: Seeming difficult to deal with in anticipation; intimidating.
• Discouraging: Causing someone to lose confidence or enthusiasm.
• Disheartening: Causing someone to lose determination or confidence.

Antonyms

• Encouraging: Giving someone support, confidence, or hope.
• Heartening: Making someone feel cheerful or encouraged.
• Reassuring: Serving or intended to remove someone's doubts or fears.

Adjective

1. causing consternation
   • appalling conditions