as in dismay
formal
a strong feeling of surprise or sudden disappointment that causes confusion
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.
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of consternation
For all of the consternation, negative narratives and dizzying gossip that have surrounded Juan Soto since the start of the season, the Mets superstar right fielder will end the first half of the 2025 campaign with numbers similar to what he’s posted in the first half of previous seasons.
—
Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 12 July 2025
Much of the consternation about AI's impact on work has been focused on tech jobs, especially as big employers like Microsoft and TikTok continue to generate national headlines when announcing layoffs.
—John Kell, Fortune, 9 July 2025
But there’s consternation among some Republicans that parts of the efforts are overly broad, overlapping, and that inquiries led by Congress could be overshadowed by the DOJ’s ability to better compel information and testimony.
—Ramsey Touchberry, The Washington Examiner, 9 June 2025
Over the past few months, CBS News staffers have had a great deal of consternation over a pending settlement, a prospect that was out of their control.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for consternation
Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 12 July 2025
Much of the consternation about AI's impact on work has been focused on tech jobs, especially as big employers like Microsoft and TikTok continue to generate national headlines when announcing layoffs.
—John Kell, Fortune, 9 July 2025
But there’s consternation among some Republicans that parts of the efforts are overly broad, overlapping, and that inquiries led by Congress could be overshadowed by the DOJ’s ability to better compel information and testimony.
—Ramsey Touchberry, The Washington Examiner, 9 June 2025
Over the past few months, CBS News staffers have had a great deal of consternation over a pending settlement, a prospect that was out of their control.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for consternation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for consternation
Noun
-
For a quick recap, this is the world a team of scientists recently suggested could host life — to the dismay of other scientists in the community, who felt the announcement failed to include necessary caution.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
31 July 2025
-
The shop was nearly empty, to the dismay of the owner, Roxana Gaeta, who grew up nearby and bought the place a decade ago from the family that opened it.—
Hannah Goldfield,
New Yorker,
28 July 2025
Noun
-
Where the negotiations with the Bengals stand Talks and tensions between Hamilton County and the Bengals have escalated as both sides have traded accusations of violating the Paycor Stadium lease.—
Scott Wartman,
The Enquirer,
30 July 2025
-
Weighed down by trade wars, geopolitical tensions and financial market volatility, the global market for personal luxury goods will likely fall by between 2 and 5 percent this year, according to the latest Luxury Goods Worldwide Market Study from Bain and Altagamma.—
Joelle Diderich,
Footwear News,
29 July 2025
Noun
-
While this may seem obvious, logic often falls apart during moments of panic.—
Amy Shoenthal,
Forbes.com,
28 July 2025
-
The scary moment was met by immense panic among passengers.—
Dalia Faheid,
CNN Money,
27 July 2025
Noun
-
Dave Bautista gives a quietly mesmerizing performance as Leonard—a hulking figure whose soft-spoken gentleness only heightens the unease—joined by a scruffily unnerving Rupert Grint and wrenching turns from Ben Aldridge and Jonathan Groff as the parents.—
Samantha Bergeson,
IndieWire,
29 July 2025
-
Yet my unease must be a tiny fraction of that of men from either side on the ground that night.—
Edward Lotterman,
Twin Cities,
27 July 2025
Noun
-
Extreme heat can also be an obstacle to exercising, spending time in nature, and socializing, all of which can make people feel good and also double as important coping mechanisms for emotional distress.—
Yasmin Tayag,
The Atlantic,
26 July 2025
-
Phillips hid the pregnancy and acted under extreme emotional distress, citing financial struggles and homelessness at the time, her lawyer said.—
Lesley Cosme Torres,
People.com,
25 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Consternation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/consternation. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share