Dismaying

Causing a feeling of concern, disappointment, or discouragement; upsetting or disheartening. It describes something that makes one lose hope, enthusiasm, or confidence. The level of severity can range from mildly unsettling to profoundly distressing, indicating a challenge to one's sense of well-being or optimism. It often arises from an unexpected or negative turn of events, perceived failure, or the presence of undesirable circumstances. The word emphasizes the emotional impact of a situation and the negative feelings it evokes within a person or group.

Dismaying meaning with examples

• The consistently low sales figures were Dismaying for the entire marketing team. Their initial excitement dwindled as the weeks went by, and the persistent lack of progress truly became disheartening, making them question their strategies. The CEO decided on a review and a new marketing campaign.
• Seeing the widespread damage caused by the hurricane was a truly Dismaying experience for the relief workers. They witnessed the devastation firsthand. It brought on feelings of despair and powerlessness as they began the cleanup, realizing the scope of the assistance needed was extensive.
• Finding out the project was over budget and behind schedule was a Dismaying piece of news for the project manager. He had spent months carefully planning and allocating resources, but problems arose. Now, it looked like he could not keep it on track.
• The constant barrage of negative news stories about climate change has been Dismaying for many people. They begin to feel hopeless and even powerless to change things. This sense of helplessness can be paralizing, making them feel that there is no point in making any adjustments.
• Receiving a rejection letter from her dream university was a Dismaying setback for Sarah. After years of hard work and academic achievement, the news crushed her spirits. The disappointment felt crushing, leaving her uncertain of her future for a while.