Definitions

dismal

[diz-muhl] / ˈdɪz məl /

ADJECTIVE

bleak, dreary, gloomy

Synonyms

STRONGEST

depressing dim discouraging disheartening dull ghastly horrible horrid miserable murky sad

WEAK

afflictive black boring cheerless cloudy dark depressed desolate despondent dingy disagreeable dispiriting doleful dolorous forlorn frowning funereal gruesome hopeless in the pits inauspicious joyless lonesome lowering lugubrious melancholy monotonous morbid oppressive overcast shadowy somber sorrowful tedious tenebrous troublesome unfortunate unhappy

Antonyms

STRONGEST

bright cheerful clear encouraging favorable happy intelligent joyful light luminous pleasant smart

WEAK

glad hopeful

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Dismal: What’s an ‘E-shaped’ economy — and where do you fit in it?

From MarketWatch • Apr. 3, 2026

Appeared in the March 12, 2026, print edition as 'New York’s Dismal Tax Forecast'.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 11, 2026

Dismal England were knocked out of the Women's World Cup after a thumping 125-run defeat by South Africa in the semi-final.

From BBC • Oct. 29, 2025

Dismal manufacturing data from China hit the U.S.-listed shares of Chinese companies JD.com and Baidu , down 2.2% and 1.6%, respectively.

From Reuters • Aug. 31, 2023

“I had been given to understand that those castles were ruins. Dismal places, bleak and cold, hardly more than heaps of rubble. At Eastwatch we heard talk of rats and spiders.”

From "A Dance with Dragons" by George R. R. Martin

Vocabulary lists containing dismal

100 Words Every Middle Schooler Should Know

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Take the Bad with the Good: Bene and Mal

Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!

Essential Academic Vocabulary for Middle School Students, List 9

Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!