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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 prospects for negotiations reopening the strait and ending the war are dismal, and there is no guarantee that force can accomplish what diplomacy cannot.

From The Wall Street Journal

Stokes has not played since the end of England's dismal Ashes defeat.

From BBC

Beaver is one of those manosphere gurus who preside over dismal power-of-positive-thinking seminars in hotel conference rooms where lost men gather for advice on how to win.

From The Wall Street Journal

The debate around England's dismal Ashes defeat continued on Monday when it was confirmed coach Brendon McCullum, director of cricket Rob Key and Test captain Ben Stokes were to remain in their posts.

From BBC

Things were looking pretty dismal across financial markets overnight: Crude-oil prices surged, and stocks trading in Japan and South Korea sank.

From MarketWatch

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.