Synonyms of consternation

consternation

noun

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

• dismay
• tension
• panic
• unease
• distress
• concern
• anxiety
• discomfort
• anguish
• alarm
• desperation
• disturbance
• fear
• agitation
• concernment
• tremor
• nervousness
• uneasiness
• disquietude
• worry
• jitters
• discomposure
• perturbation
• solicitude
• hand-wringing
• disquiet
• apprehension
• distraction
• stress
• franticness
• desperateness
• jumpiness
• edginess
• angst
• anxiousness
• uncertainty
• apprehensiveness
• agita
• fearfulness
• nervosity
• vexation
• upset
• sweat
• strain
• doubt
• torment
• care
• suspense
• dread
• misgiving
• compunction
• presentiment
• foreboding
• cold feet
• incertitude
• qualm
• scruple

Dissimilar Words

• ease
• contentment
• peace
• content
• calmness
• relief
• easiness
• placidity
• quietude
• tranquility
• serenity
• calm
• peacefulness
• quiet
• consolation
• solace
• placidness
• comfort
• sereneness
• tranquilness
• unconcern

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of consternation

There was some consternation when Brennan Johnson went to Crystal Palace in January for £35million, but this was precisely the sort of deal that Tottenham never used to do. — Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 12 Aug. 2026

The source of Acclivus’ consternation in the emails with Lee stemmed from the health department issuing an award letter for the group showing the organization would get $8,091,916, while a separate scope of work document listed $8,982,779. — Alice Yin, Chicago Tribune, 9 Aug. 2026

The two schools have combined to win 22 national championships and produce 15 Heisman Trophy winners, and the discontinuation prompted consternation on both sides. — ABC News, 3 Aug. 2026

OpenAI has been a source of concentration risk—and consternation over the lack of clarity—for analysts and investors for both its revenue-sharing deal with Microsoft, and how much of Azure’s growth was dependent on OpenAI. — Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 30 July 2026

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