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Showing results for dismal. Search instead for dismaln.
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 estimated 178,000 increase in new jobs last month came as a relief after a dismal February employment report.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 3, 2026

Batters across MLB put up a dismal .210 batting average against splitters last season, compared with .224 against sliders and sweepers and .225 against curveballs.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 31, 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

If economics can be called the dismal science, I’d argue that eugenics might be called the narcissistic one.

From Slate • Mar. 19, 2026

The dismal name came from the bleak opportunities workers faced in the region, where iron, coal, and steel companies had busted unions for two decades.

From "Fannie Never Flinched" by Mary Cronk Farrell