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.

They have lost 11 consecutive games, a stunningly dismal stretch that has sent them plummeting to the National League’s worst record.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 20, 2026

Microsoft’s stock has come back alive after a dismal stretch that reflected fears about the company’s positioning in the current artificial-intelligence landscape.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 15, 2026

Since his last purchase at the end of December, shares have fallen 25%, driven lower by a dismal sales forecast in March and general macroeconomic uncertainty.

From Barron's • Apr. 14, 2026

England were "feckless, reckless and legless" on their dismal Ashes tour of Australia, according to the editor of the prestigious Wisden Almanack.

From BBC • Apr. 13, 2026

Under ordinary circumstances, Aru probably would have slipped into the quicksand herself and both of them would have become dismal Wikipedia pages.

From "Aru Shah and the End of Time" by Roshani Chokshi

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!