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.
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Recent Examples of consternation
Ahead of the previous World Cup, four years ago, there was extraordinary consternation about that tournament’s host, Qatar.
—
Jonathan Lemire, The Atlantic, 4 June 2026
During a heated conference meeting, Senate Republicans expressed consternation over the fund to Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, who had been deployed to smooth over GOP concerns.
—Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 1 June 2026
His involvement was met with some consternation from the running community — how could this man with no racing experience arrange a successful marathon when four prior attempts had failed?
—James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2026
Sources familiar with the situation, granted anonymity like all those consulted for this article to protect relationships, acknowledged there was consternation at the top at his behaviour and wondered whether Glasner’s position was becoming untenable.
—Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 28 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for consternation
Jonathan Lemire, The Atlantic, 4 June 2026
During a heated conference meeting, Senate Republicans expressed consternation over the fund to Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, who had been deployed to smooth over GOP concerns.
—Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 1 June 2026
His involvement was met with some consternation from the running community — how could this man with no racing experience arrange a successful marathon when four prior attempts had failed?
—James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2026
Sources familiar with the situation, granted anonymity like all those consulted for this article to protect relationships, acknowledged there was consternation at the top at his behaviour and wondered whether Glasner’s position was becoming untenable.
—Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 28 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for consternation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for consternation
Noun
-
Much to Healey’s dismay, there is no green energy transition happening in Massachusetts.—
Jennifer Nassour,
Boston Herald,
4 June 2026
-
In April, the industry group expressed dismay at the FAA’s call to roll back hundreds of flights at Chicago O’Hare International Airport this summer to avoid worsening flight delays.—
Glenn Taylor,
Footwear News,
3 June 2026
Noun
-
Taken together, the two measures highlight a growing tension in a state that prides itself on stewardship of the environment, as policymakers aim to protect threatened or endangered animals while also keeping people, pets and livestock safe.—
Sharon Bernstein,
Sacbee.com,
29 May 2026
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Taken together, the network signals a significant upgrade in Beijing’s efforts to ensure second-strike capability, underscoring intensifying nuclear competition with the United States as tensions rise over issues such as Taiwan’s sovereignty.—
Reuters,
NBC news,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
Ednar Dayanghirang, director of the Office of Civil Defense in a nearby southern region, said more than 100 students attending morning flag-raising ceremonies sustained bruises and some fainted in panic at different elementary and high schools.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
8 June 2026
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But that’s hard to square with the panic that took hold of Moscow last month, when an annual military parade was shortened for fear it would be interrupted by Ukrainian drones.—
Anne Applebaum,
The Atlantic,
7 June 2026
Noun
-
The constant movement might make some audience members dizzy, yet its jitteriness signifies the anxiety and unease of the characters, both in their skin and with each other.—
Murtada Elfadl,
Variety,
25 May 2026
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All that party infighting — present before every primary, but at a fever pitch now — comes against a backdrop of broader voter unease about the war in Iran, volatile oil and gas prices, and the burgeoning threat of AI to the American workforce.—
Kevin Rector,
Los Angeles Times,
24 May 2026
Noun
-
There was a stretch when people in various states of mental distress would just come and fall apart at our kitchen table.—
Stuart Miller,
Oc Register,
10 June 2026
-
The Iskanders sued Grossman and Erickson, and last week a jury found the pair liable in the boys’ deaths, awarding $176 million in damages to parents Nancy and Karim Iskander and younger son Zachary for wrongful death and emotional distress.—
Richard Winton,
Los Angeles Times,
10 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Consternation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/consternation. Accessed 12 Jun. 2026.
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