1
as in bleak
causing or marked by an atmosphere lacking in cheer
a suitably dismal setting for a haunted house
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in depressing
causing unhappiness
the dismal failure of our hopes for the championship
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in terrible
extremely unsatisfactory
the quarterback's dismal performance suggested that he had not fully recovered from his recent injury
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of dismal
Meanwhile, the Sun had a dismal offensive start hitting just 35.5% from the field before halftime and starting 1-for-9 from 3-point range.
—
Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 21 May 2025
Japanese companies Honda and Nissan just announced dismal quarterly earnings — and things could get worse: The numbers don’t yet factor in their hits from tariffs.
—Quartz Staff, Quartz, 13 May 2025
Schaeffer, 40, wasn’t just talking about his career opportunity, but about the team’s chance to turn around a dismal season.
—Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 13 May 2025
After shooting a solid 45.9% from the perimeter in Game 1, the Knicks fell to just 29% in Game 2 and shot a dismal 20% in Game 3, including going just 2-for-17 (11.7%) in the first three quarters.
—Kilty Cleary, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for dismal
Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 21 May 2025
Japanese companies Honda and Nissan just announced dismal quarterly earnings — and things could get worse: The numbers don’t yet factor in their hits from tariffs.
—Quartz Staff, Quartz, 13 May 2025
Schaeffer, 40, wasn’t just talking about his career opportunity, but about the team’s chance to turn around a dismal season.
—Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 13 May 2025
After shooting a solid 45.9% from the perimeter in Game 1, the Knicks fell to just 29% in Game 2 and shot a dismal 20% in Game 3, including going just 2-for-17 (11.7%) in the first three quarters.
—Kilty Cleary, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for dismal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dismal
Adjective
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At the same time, others who attended this year’s California Democratic Party Convention dismissed any notion that the future of the Democratic Party is bleak.—
Linh Tat,
Oc Register,
31 May 2025
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The early options on the GOP side are bleak: Neither Donalds nor Casey DeSantis, the governor’s wife who’s said to be interested in succeeding him, is the moderate Florida so desperately needs now.—
Orlando Sentinel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
30 May 2025
Adjective
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All that matters is whether Dance Mom, a character designed in a lab to be a depressing punchline, pulls in just enough of the always-online demo to boost their numbers among younger viewers.—
Kathryn VanArendonk,
Vulture,
30 May 2025
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Music was a way to showcase something that wasn’t depressing.—
Ramin Setoodeh,
Variety,
28 May 2025
Adjective
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Kids these days have attention spans crushed under the terrible weight of TikTok and Instgram.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
3 June 2025
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My heart goes out to the victims of this terrible tragedy, and the Great People of Boulder, Colorado!—
Dan Mangan,
CNBC,
2 June 2025
Adjective
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He was last seen wearing a light shirt and dark shorts.—
David Chiu,
People.com,
3 June 2025
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Opening April 8, 2026 A blind date spirals spectacularly off the rails in Becky Shaw, the razor-sharp dark comedy from two-time Pulitzer Prize finalist Gina Gionfriddo.—
Greg Evans,
Deadline,
3 June 2025
Adjective
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Stewart is still thanked by gay fans by creating such a rare, highly visible (albeit sad) representation.—
Jordan Hoffman,
EW.com,
27 May 2025
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My back hurt from that sad excuse for a chair (seriously, who designs dining chairs to feel like medieval torture devices?).—
Renae Gregoire,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2025
Adjective
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Even with the horrible start the Red Sox still nearly came all the way back, twice drawing to within one run, but the club couldn’t get over the hump.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
3 June 2025
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Even on a horrible team, someone has to score, get rebounds and assists.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
2 June 2025
Adjective
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Plus, the combination of the stone fireplace and the dark wood cabinets and shelves flanking it contributed to the overall impression of a somber, too-serious space.—
Meghan Holloran,
Better Homes & Gardens,
29 May 2025
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Trump will participate in the traditional wreath-laying ceremony and speak at the cemetery’s amphitheater, in what has been a somber occasion for U.S. presidents.—
Orlando Sentinel Staff,
The Orlando Sentinel,
27 May 2025
Adjective
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Anyone who tells you different is a liar (and pathetic, and alone in life).—
Rob Sheffield,
Rolling Stone,
30 May 2025
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The politicized fantasy and horror films by Ryan Coogler and Jordan Peele are merely pathetic.—
Armond White,
National Review,
23 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dismal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dismal. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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