consternation

noun con·ster·na·tion \ ˌkän(t)-stər-ˈnā-shən \

|Updated on: 6 Aug 2018

Examples: consternation in a Sentence

Editor's Note: Did You Know?

Definition of consternation

: amazement or dismay that hinders or throws into confusion

the two … stared at each other in consternation, and neither knew what to do
—Pearl Buck

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Examples of consternation in a Sentence

The fact that the exact depth was recorded on the bottles was the source of considerable consternation among the admirals presiding over the Navy inquiry last week. The depth an attack sub can reach is supposed to be classified … . —Karen Breslau et al., Newsweek, 2 Apr. 2001
In the grimy market-places where so-called friendly intelligence services do their trading, tip-offs, like money, are laundered in all sorts of ways … . They can be blown up so as to cause consternation or tempered to encourage complacency. —John le Carré, Granta 35, Spring 1991
The King was relaxing; his face had softened. Awful, to have to banish this hard-earned peace, burden him with a fresh worry. But better he should hear it from his loyalest baron, his own brother, than have the news blurted out to him by some idiot agent avid to cause a maximum of consternation. —Colleen McCullough, The First Man in Rome, 1990
The candidate caused consternation among his supporters by changing positions on a key issue.
Much to her parents' consternation, she had decided to not go to college.

Recent Examples of consternation from the Web

Lind's tour dominated everyday conversations, much to the consternation of nonfans.

— nancy baym, WIRED, "Book Excerpt: How Music Fans Built the Internet," 10 July 2018
For those in the business of mounting these gargantuan tributes to popular entertainment and all things comic books, consternation over the no-shows is overblown.

— lori weisberg, sandiegouniontribune.com, "No Marvel or HBO? No big deal, San Diego Comic-Con observers say," 25 June 2018
The transfer of ownership has caused consternation at the market among vendors who see their future there as uncertain.

— kenneth r. gosselin, courant.com, "Sudden Change In Ownership For Hartford Regional Market Stirs Fears For Future," 7 June 2018
Preparations to punish Russia anew for its support of Syrian President Bashar Assad's government over the alleged chemical weapons attack in Syria caused consternation at the White House.

— the washington post, NOLA.com, "Trump put the brakes on new Russian sanctions, reversing Haley's announcement," 17 Apr. 2018
The ads caused plenty of consternation from Republicans, who accused Democrats of slamming their own policies.

— dan merica, CNN, "Crisis averted: How the Democrats avoided disaster in California," 6 June 2018
The rulings forced District officials to review the projects, causing costly delays and widespread consternation among developers who worry that their projects will be slowed by legal challenges.

— paul schwartzman, ajc, "Lawsuit: DC's effort to attract millennials discriminated against blacks," 27 May 2018
Acuna's big league arrival was the source of significant consternation last month when the Braves opted to start him at Class AAA Gwinnett (Ga.), despite an outstanding spring training performance.

— gabe lacques, USA TODAY, "Watch: Atlanta Braves phenom Ronald Acuna's first MLB home run is a towering shot," 26 Apr. 2018
But after intervention from VAR it was given as a goal, much to the consternation of the Moroccan players and substitutes, some of whom stormed the pitch in protest.

— patrick galey, chicagotribune.com, "Last-gasp Aspas sees Spain draw 2-2 with Morocco," 25 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'consternation.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Did You Know?

Wonder what the seemingly dissimilar words prostrate ("stretched out with face on the ground"), stratum ("layer"), and stratus ("a low cloud form extending over a large area") have in common with consternation? They are all thought to share the Latin ancestor sternere, meaning "to spread" or "to strike or throw down." Much to our consternation, we cannot make that sentence definitive: while prostrate, stratum, and stratus are clearly the offspring of sternere, etymologists will only go so far as to say that consternation comes from Latin consternare—and that they have a strong suspicion that consternare is another descendent of sternere.

Origin and Etymology of consternation

French or Latin; French, from Latin consternation-, consternatio, from consternare to throw into confusion, from com- + -sternare, probably from sternere to spread, strike down — more at strew

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First Known Use: 1604

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