dismaying

adjective

dis·​may·​ing dis-ˈmā-iŋ How to pronounce dismaying (audio)
diz-
: causing feelings of alarmed concern or agitation
heard some dismaying news
… at a time when Hollywood was quietly panicking over dismaying financial statistics.Robert F. Moss
It is somewhat dismaying to see how far Mr. Jennings often goes in his zeal …Ronald Sanders
dismayingly adverb
a dismayingly long list of problems
This is a place where achieving any sort of closure on important national traumas … has proved dismayingly elusive. Max Rodenbeck

Examples of dismaying in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The math suggests a dismaying possibility: these votes may very well swing. Yiyun Li, Harper's Magazine, 23 Oct. 2024 Amid the meal, the guest made a dismaying discovery. Brenton Blanchet, People.com, 14 Oct. 2024 Perhaps the most dismaying sentiment in this gloomy film is delivered by an anonymous comedy fan who apparently bought a ticket to watch C.K. perform at Madison Square Garden last year. Michael O'Sullivan, Washington Post, 11 July 2024 Biden’s senescence wasn’t the only dismaying thing about the debate. The Editors, National Review, 28 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for dismaying 

Word History

First Known Use

1582, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of dismaying was in 1582

Dictionary Entries Near dismaying

Cite this Entry

“Dismaying.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dismaying. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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