consternation

noun

Definition of consternationnext
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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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 But the Charlotte Regional Transportation Planning Organization voted in May to rescind support for the project after months of consternation in the community over the impacts of the new lanes on neighborhoods and the environment. — Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 8 July 2026 Wilde, in her third directorial offering, co-stars as a stay-at-home-mom who, to the consternation of her failed musician husband, Joe, has invited the freewheeling couple upstairs to dinner. — The Week Us, TheWeek, 7 July 2026 The choices were predictably met with some consternation back in Amsterdam. — James Horncastle, New York Times, 30 June 2026 So for all the draft consternation from those who saw the Heat giving up too much, the Heat still will be left with first-round picks in four of the next six drafts. — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 27 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for consternation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for consternation
  1. dismay
  2. tension
  3. panic
  4. unease
  5. distress
Noun
  • Newton didn’t even attempt to jump on the second fumble, much to everyone’s dismay.
    — Scott Fowler July 8, Charlotte Observer, 8 July 2026
  • Although Belgium coach Rudi Garcia and the Belgian federation had expressed dismay at FIFA’s decision to suspend Balogun’s red card ban, Garcia said his team was neither distracted nor motivated by the controversy.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 7 July 2026
Definition of dismay
Noun
  • Wall Street looked past geopolitical tensions with benchmark indexes rising on Big Tech strength and signs of easing inflation, even as Middle East hostilities escalated.
    — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 16 July 2026
  • But Wednesday’s amendment vote is a preview of Democratic tensions to come after nearly half of the caucus voted to support it, including leaders like Whip Katherine Clark and former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.
    — Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 16 July 2026
Definition of tension
Noun
  • Messaging is also critical, given the impact of panic-buying.
    — Clare Sebastian, CNN Money, 6 July 2026
  • By then, CrowdStrike had fallen to the $90s, as panic had repeatedly ensued.
    — Jim Cramer, CNBC, 5 July 2026
Definition of panic
Noun
  • Police said Friday there is no indication that the killing was politically motivated, but her death has renewed unease about the safety of Britain’s politicians after two others were killed in the last decade.
    — Freddie Clayton, NBC news, 11 July 2026
  • The contradictions of their closeness aren’t papered over; the unease is allowed to linger, inflamed and ineradicable.
    — Emily Nussbaum, New Yorker, 9 July 2026
Definition of unease
Noun
  • Lewbel said distress detection is no longer a feature of Flock's system, but did not respond to questions about what led to that decision or whether it had ever been used by law enforcement.
    — N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 11 July 2026
  • However, evidence of an ancient alien civilization and a frantic distress call from deep space instantly cut those celebrations short.
    — Paul Brett, Space.com, 10 July 2026
Definition of distress

Browse Nearby Words

constellations
consternation
constituent
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Cite this Entry

“Consternation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/consternation. Accessed 18 Jul. 2026.

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