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.

A dismal February report fueled anxiety that joblessness was set to rise.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 18, 2026

The Angels have hardly competed since, entering 2026 riding a dismal streak of 10 consecutive losing seasons, the longest active stretch in baseball.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 17, 2026

Relegation may not have been confirmed with this dismal loss, but West Ham manager Nuno Espirito Santo recognised the Hammers "owed the fans respect and dignity".

From BBC • May 17, 2026

England's first Test against New Zealand begins at Lord's on 4 June and it is their first in the format since their dismal Ashes defeat.

From BBC • May 13, 2026

I sat down in the cliental chair placed over against Mr. Jaggers’s chair, and became fascinated by the dismal atmosphere of the place.

From "Great Expectations" by Charles Dickens

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!