Dismay
mediumNegative tonedis-MAY
noun
Definition
Concern and distress caused by something unexpected
Memory hook
DIS-MAY: 'Oh NO, this MAY go wrong!' -- that sinking feeling of distress.
Word roots
Learning roots unlocks whole word families. Study common GRE root words.
Examples
“She watched in dismay as her car was towed away.”
“To his dismay, he had forgotten his wallet at home.”
Test yourself
Fill in the blank with the right word:
“She watched in ______ as her car was towed away.”
Show answer
dismay
Synonyms
Antonyms
Categories
GRE Tip
Dismay is a medium-difficulty GRE word. On the GRE, you might see it paired with synonyms like "consternation" or "alarm" in Sentence Equivalence questions. Look for contrast clues (however, despite, although) that signal the opposite meaning. Words like "delight".
Related GRE Words
consternation
A feeling of anxiety or dismay, typically at something unexpected
ambivalent
Having mixed feelings or contradictory ideas about something
animosity
Strong hostility or hatred
antipathy
a deep, settled feeling of dislike or aversion
apprehension
Anxiety or fear that something bad or unpleasant will happen
contempt
The feeling that a person or thing is beneath consideration, worthless, or deserving scorn
Master dismay and 1,000+ GRE words
Learn through stories, practice with real GRE questions, and never forget with spaced repetition.