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.

Although the government shutdown subtracted about a percentage point of economic growth, the softer spending also contributed to the dismal 0.7% growth rate in inflation-adjusted gross domestic product.

From Barron's • Apr. 8, 2026

That, more than anything, was what was on dismal display Wednesday night.

From Slate • Apr. 2, 2026

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 • Mar. 26, 2026

What was shaping up to be a dismal day for major world economies was left with a glimmer of optimism.

From BBC • Mar. 23, 2026

Looking up through the glass-paneled roof, he saw the sky was nothing more than a dismal swirl of black and gray with no hint the sun even existed.

From "City Spies" by James Ponti

Vocabulary lists containing dismal

100 Words Every Middle Schooler Should Know

Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!

Take the Bad with the Good: Bene and Mal

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The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

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!