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.

The dollar is staring at its sharpest January slide in eight years, following a dismal 2025.

From Barron's

It was mostly dragged down by UnitedHealth Group, which had a dismal quarterly earnings release.

From Barron's

As they departed, their flashlights swept the dismal lot, but their bodies were more relaxed now.

From Literature

After the Budget, the Institute for Fiscal Studies think tank said households were facing a "truly dismal" increase in living standards.

From BBC

England changed formats and opponents, yet still followed their dismal Ashes campaign with defeat by Sri Lanka in the first one-day international in Colombo.

From BBC

dismal

Example Sentences

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