consternation

noun

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

: 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

Did you know?

If you’ve ever been flummoxed, befuddled, or even fuddled, you know a thing or two about consternation—but perhaps not all of it. Consternation and confusion are not synonymous, though it’s understandable that they are sometimes confused. Consternation refers not to confusion, but to a feeling of amazement or dismay that can lead to confusion, or otherwise hinder or stop someone in their tracks. And much like dismay, consternation is often used in constructions starting with “much to,” as in “much to their consternation, their teacher announced a pop quiz as soon as class started.” People also often “express” or “show” their consternation in various ways, whether with furrowed brow, mouth agog, or assorted mumblings and grumblings—visual and audible clues that they are working out just what to do next after being consternated.

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 on the Web

But after 90-plus minutes against Cape Verde on Sunday night at Hard Rock Stadium, the smiles turned to seething expressions and consternation. —Andre Fernandez, Miami Herald, 22 June 2026

While the likes of Mamdani and Platner generate mainstream media headlines and consternation among conservatives, most Americans still fall somewhere closer to the middle, and the 2026 election will reflect that enduring electorate. —Will Johnson, Forbes.com, 18 June 2026

But the Charlotte Regional Transportation Planning Organization voted in May to rescind support for the project after months of consternation in the community over the impacts of the new lanes on neighborhoods and the environment. —Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 17 June 2026

Maple Leafs have the top pick Missing the playoffs for the first time in a decade caused plenty of consternation in Toronto, where there are questions about captain Auston Matthews and his long-term future. —Stephen Whyno, Chicago Tribune, 16 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1604, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for consternation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

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Kids Definition

consternation

noun

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

: amazement or dismay that makes one feel helpless or confused