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.

But Sir Keir Starmer's fight for survival after a dismal set of elections last week is receiving coverage across the globe.

From BBC • May 12, 2026

The party’s dismal showing in local elections last week sparked a flurry of plotting in Westminster.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 11, 2026

But for some in Labour the grating thing about their dismal position now is it's different to losing to the Conservatives - that feeling is familiar, it's in their DNA.

From BBC • May 9, 2026

Unsurprisingly, the outlook is dismal, and it is somewhat more dismal than last year.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 28, 2026

I preferred to stay lost in the darkness of my dismal thoughts.

From "Moon Over Manifest" by Clare Vanderpool

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!