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dismayed

 - 3 dictionary results

dis·may

   [dis-mey]
–verb (used with object)
1.
to break down the courage of completely, as by sudden danger or trouble; dishearten thoroughly; daunt: The surprise attack dismayed the enemy.
2.
to surprise in such a manner as to disillusion: She was dismayed to learn of their disloyalty.
3.
to alarm; perturb: The new law dismayed some of the more conservative politicians.
–noun
4.
sudden or complete loss of courage; utter disheartenment.
5.
sudden disillusionment.
6.
agitation of mind; perturbation; alarm.
Use dismayed in a Sentence
Origin:
1275–1325; ME desmay (n.), de(s)mayen, dismayen (v.) < presumed AF alter., by prefix change, of OF esmaier to trouble, frighten < VL *exmagāre to disable, deprive of strength, equiv. to ex- ex- + *magāre < Gmc *magan to be able to; see may1

—Related forms
dis·mayed·ness  [dis-meyd-nis, -mey-id-] , noun
dis·may·ing·ly, adverb
un·dis·mayed, adjective

—Synonyms
1. appall, terrify, frighten, scare, intimidate, disconcert. See discourage. 4. consternation, terror, panic, horror, fear.

—Antonyms
1. hearten. 4. confidence.

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2010.
Cite This Source Link To dismayed
Word Origin & History

dismay
c.1300, from O.Fr. *desmaier, from L. de- intensive prefix + O.Fr. esmaier "to trouble, disturb," from V.L. *exmagare "divest of power or ability," from P.Gmc. stem *mag- "power, ability" (cf. O.H.G. magen "to be powerful or able;" see may (v.)). Related: Dismayed.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
dis·may   (dĭs-mā')   
tr.v.   dis·mayed, dis·may·ing, dis·mays

  1. To destroy the courage or resolution of by exciting dread or apprehension.

  2. To cause to lose enthusiasm; disillusion: was dismayed to learn that her favorite dancer used drugs.

  3. To upset or alarm.

n.  A sudden or complete loss of courage in the face of trouble or danger.

[Middle English dismaien, from Anglo-Norman *desmaiier : probably de-, intensive pref.; see de- + Old French esmaier, to frighten (from Vulgar Latin *exmagāre, to deprive of power : Latin ex-, ex- + Germanic *magan, to be able to; see magh- in Indo-European roots).]
dis·may'ing·ly adv.
Synonyms: These verbs mean to deprive a person of courage or the power to act as a result of fear or anxiety. Dismay is the least specific: Plummeting stock prices dismayed speculators.
Appall implies a sense of helplessness caused by an awareness of the enormity of something: "for as this appalling ocean surrounds the verdant land" (Herman Melville).
Daunt suggests an abatement of courage: "captains courageous, whom death could not daunt" (Anonymous ballad).
Horrify implies dread, shock, or revulsion: The citizens were horrified by the possibility of nuclear war.
To shake is to dismay profoundly: "A little swift brutality shook him to the very soul" (John Galsworthy). See Also Synonyms at fear.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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