Dismay is a feeling of disappointment mixed with worry or discouragement when something goes wrong or turns out worse than expected. It's that sinking sensation when you discover the science project you worked on all week got damaged, or when you realize you studied the wrong chapter for tomorrow's test.

Dismay hits hardest when you were counting on something working out. A soccer team might feel dismay after losing a championship game they expected to win. A student feels dismay when opening a report card and seeing grades lower than anticipated. The word captures both the letdown of disappointment and the anxious concern about what it means.

You might hear someone say they were dismayed to learn bad news, or that they watched in dismay as their carefully built block tower toppled over. The word suggests a deeper reaction than simple disappointment: it includes real concern or distress about the situation. When a teacher looks at the class with dismay after everyone fails a quiz, she's not just disappointed but worried about what went wrong and what it means for the class's learning.