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 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

The party’s dismal showing in local elections last week sparked a flurry of plotting in Westminster.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 11, 2026

Speaking before the trip to Villa Park, De Zerbi delivered an impassioned, four-minute monologue at the start of his news conference, insisting negativity has become Tottenham's biggest opponent during their dismal run of form.

From BBC • May 1, 2026

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

From MarketWatch • Apr. 28, 2026

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

From "Zeitoun" by Dave Eggers

Vocabulary lists containing dismal

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Take the Bad with the Good: Bene and Mal

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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!