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dismaying

   Also found in: Legal 0.01 sec.
dis·may  (ds-m)
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 *exmagre, to deprive of power : Latin ex-, ex- + Germanic *magan, to be able to; see magh- in Indo-European roots).]

dis·maying·ly adv.
Synonyms: dismay, appall, daunt, horrify, shake
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.
ThesaurusLegend:  Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
Adj.1.dismaying - causing consternationdismaying - causing consternation; "appalling conditions"
alarming - frightening because of an awareness of danger


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On her first glance at the terrible spot where preparations were making for a death alike dismaying to the mind and painful to the body, she was observed to shudder and shut her eyes, praying internally doubtless, for her lips moved though no speech was heard.
 
 
 
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