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
Genesis‘s latest splash is a performance station wagon, which is not the kind of car that will cause any great consternation at Porsche but does check a box on Genesis’s long road to respectability.
—
Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 10 Dec. 2025
That should cause some consternation among eagle-eyed economists, sourcing agents, retailers and shoppers alike.
—Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 9 Dec. 2025
Some communities met the raiders with stones, to the consternation of the slavers, who seemed unprepared to face such opposition.
—Literary Hub, 5 Dec. 2025
For the next 30 minutes, the remaining attendees and protesters stood in consternation, chattering nervously.
—Claudia Levens, jsonline.com, 2 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for consternation
Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 10 Dec. 2025
That should cause some consternation among eagle-eyed economists, sourcing agents, retailers and shoppers alike.
—Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 9 Dec. 2025
Some communities met the raiders with stones, to the consternation of the slavers, who seemed unprepared to face such opposition.
—Literary Hub, 5 Dec. 2025
For the next 30 minutes, the remaining attendees and protesters stood in consternation, chattering nervously.
—Claudia Levens, jsonline.com, 2 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for consternation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for consternation
Noun
-
There is bafflement alongside the dismay.—
Alexander Smith,
NBC news,
10 Jan. 2026
-
My seven-year-old, the daredevil of the family, was just an inch or so off the height requirements for zip lining high above the Central Park neighborhood and the FlowRider surf simulator, much to her dismay.—
Chrissie McClatchie,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Savard wasn’t solely to blame for the woes of the power play before that, but his dismissal seemed to release some tension.—
Jonas Siegel,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Intraparty tensions among Republicans have been evident, with a number of prominent lawmakers announcing plans to retire.—
Alicia Diaz,
Fortune,
6 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Witnesses described scenes of panic as flames spread rapidly through the basement level before engulfing the upper floor.—
Moná Thomas,
PEOPLE,
6 Jan. 2026
-
Kaitlin spent the first weeks of her newborn son’s life in a panic.—
Lucas Waldron,
ProPublica,
6 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Mia Goth’s dual roles add another layer of unease.—
Ana Gutierrez,
Austin American Statesman,
5 Jan. 2026
-
Political turmoil added to unease up North.—
Stephanie Hughes,
Fortune,
31 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
The plaintiff seeks damages for privacy invasion, emotional distress, reputational harm and alleged placement on government watch lists.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Jan. 2026
-
The initial wave of relief soon lifted, giving way to distress when Franco learned his home was uninhabitable.—
Joy Benedict,
CBS News,
7 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Consternation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/consternation. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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