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

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

The debate around England's dismal Ashes defeat continued on Monday when it was confirmed coach Brendon McCullum, director of cricket Rob Key and Test captain Ben Stokes were to remain in their posts.

From BBC • Mar. 24, 2026

He joked about George W. Bush, about the administration’s dismal response to the disaster so far.

From "Zeitoun" by Dave Eggers

dismal

Example Sentences

Related Words