Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner's English Dictionary - dismay

(dismays, dismaying, dismayed) 1. Dismay is a strong feeling of fear, worry, or sadness that is caused by something unpleasant and unexpected. (FORMAL) Local councillors have reacted with dismay and indignation... N-UNCOUNT: oft to N with poss 2. If you are dismayed by something, it makes you feel afraid, worried, or sad. (FORMAL) The committee was dismayed by what it had been told... The thought that she was crying dismayed him. VERB: be V-ed, V n • dismayed He was dismayed at the cynicism of the youngsters... ADJ: usu v-link ADJ, oft ADJ at n, ADJ to-inf/that