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
Noise pollution from the turbines has also been a source of local consternation.
—
Lora Kolodny, CNBC, 13 Feb. 2026
In key industries, big companies have increasingly instituted in-office requirements of 4-5 days a week – much to the consternation of their employees.
—Victoria Baeza Garcia, Dallas Morning News, 10 Feb. 2026
Advertisement Its position as a clean-tech manufacturing super-power has become the subject of much consternation.
—Justin Worland, Time, 10 Feb. 2026
Bad Bunny’s statements against ICE caused consternation ahead of his performance.
—Ryan Gaydos , Larry Fink, FOXNews.com, 8 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for consternation
Lora Kolodny, CNBC, 13 Feb. 2026
In key industries, big companies have increasingly instituted in-office requirements of 4-5 days a week – much to the consternation of their employees.
—Victoria Baeza Garcia, Dallas Morning News, 10 Feb. 2026
Advertisement Its position as a clean-tech manufacturing super-power has become the subject of much consternation.
—Justin Worland, Time, 10 Feb. 2026
Bad Bunny’s statements against ICE caused consternation ahead of his performance.
—Ryan Gaydos , Larry Fink, FOXNews.com, 8 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for consternation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for consternation
Noun
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His Health Secretary, Robert F Kennedy Jr, an advocate of healthy eating, has repeatedly expressed his dismay at his boss’s diet.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
28 Feb. 2026
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Insiders at the station say they have been deluged with emails and texts expressing dismay over Nexstar’s moves, which eliminated a number of staffers with decades of experience and institutional knowledge.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Several countries have begun withdrawing dependents of diplomatic personnel and non-essential staff from some locations in the Middle East, or advising citizens to avoid travel to Iran, amid rising tensions between Washington and Tehran.—
Francesca Chambers,
USA Today,
27 Feb. 2026
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After nine episodes spent stewing in suspicion, the CBS legal drama has released the tension from one of its biggest secrets and forced Julian into action.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
27 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Some are high-frequency shocks — wars, emerging technologies, market panics — that spike quickly and dominate our attention.—
Ajaypal Banga,
Twin Cities,
1 Mar. 2026
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An airstrike on Dubai’s Fairmont The Palm Hotel sparked a fire while also spreading panic on the famous Palm Jumeirah artificial island, where many of the city’s wealthiest residents live.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
1 Mar. 2026
Noun
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How investors should respond to the moment depends on their savings and investment goals — but there are strategies to protect your portfolio during the heightened unease.—
John Towfighi,
CNN Money,
27 Feb. 2026
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But more broadly, the AI scare trade visited upon Nvidia on Thursday underscores a growing unease around the future of AI.—
Allie Canal,
NBC news,
26 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
How did WalletHub determine financial distress?—
Marley Malenfant,
Austin American Statesman,
25 Feb. 2026
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Employees expressed their distress about the mass layoffs on social media platforms such as Reddit.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
25 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Consternation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/consternation. Accessed 2 Mar. 2026.
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