dismally

IPA/ˈdɪzməli/
KK[dˈɪzməli]IPA/ˈdɪzməli/

dismally — adverb

1. expressing or creating deep unhappiness and a sense that nothing will get better

1.副詞B2
釋義

expressing or creating deep unhappiness and a sense that nothing will get better

例句

After the fire, Adisa stared dismally at what remained of his home.

dismally with verb of staring / looking after a loss

The old hospital stood empty and dismally silent against the grey sky.

dismally + adjective (silent) describing atmosphere

同義詞
  • gloomily

    focuses more on the atmosphere than personal sadness

  • hopelessly

    emphasises a total absence of optimism

  • mournfully

    connected with grief after a specific loss

  • sorrowfully

    more formal, suggests a quieter, deeper sadness

反義詞

文法句型

verb + dismally

dismally + adjective

用法筆記

Commonly modifies verbs of looking, reporting, or reacting (stare, shake one's head, report). Also frequently paired with adjectives that describe a bleak environment (silent, grey, empty).

常見錯誤

❌I lost my pen, he said dismally.
✅I lost my job, he said dismally.
💡Dismally fits serious disappointments; for small everyday problems use 'sadly' or 'unhappily'.

2. so poorly done or disappointing that the result is far below what could reasonab

2.副詞B2
釋義

so poorly done or disappointing that the result is far below what could reasonably be expected

例句

The team performed dismally in the championship final last weekend.

perform dismally — adverb of poor performance

Faisal failed dismally to meet the project deadline his manager set.

fail dismally + to-infinitive

同義詞
  • terribly

    less literary, more common in everyday speech

  • dreadfully

    slightly old-fashioned, suggests shock at the poor quality

  • abysmally

    even stronger — suggests the worst possible level

  • miserably

    also implies the person feels unhappy about the failure

反義詞

文法句型

verb + dismally

dismally + adjective

用法筆記

Subject is typically a performance, attempt, result, or numerical value. Stronger than 'badly' — implies the outcome was far below any reasonable expectation.

常見錯誤

❌It rained dismally all weekend.' (weather being bad is not this sense).
✅The band played dismally at the concert.
💡This sense is for poor performance and quality, not unpleasant weather.