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.

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

From MarketWatch • Apr. 28, 2026

Right now, though, Eddie Howe's side have a few injury problems on top of their dismal form.

From BBC • Apr. 23, 2026

The dismal hockey Rangers are grateful for the reprieve.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 22, 2026

Since his last purchase at the end of December, shares have fallen 25%, driven lower by a dismal sales forecast in March and general macroeconomic uncertainty.

From Barron's • Apr. 14, 2026

It had been painted white a long time ago, but the paint, where it hadn’t peeled off altogether, had turned a dismal gray.

From "The Glass Castle" by Jeannette Walls

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!