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
The look of the series on TV has caused consternation among some fans tuning in.
—
Mike Vorkunov, New York Times, 16 June 2025
Given the intensity of the Trump administration’s crackdown on immigrants, ’s participation has caused consternation and fear that the event could be unsafe for immigrants.
—Verónica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 11 June 2025
However, his play came with some consternation for the organization.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 7 May 2025
Negotiations between the southeast Asian country and Washington D.C. have been closely watched, and the subject of many executives' consternation in recent months.
—Gabrielle Fonrouge, CNBC, 12 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for consternation
Mike Vorkunov, New York Times, 16 June 2025
Given the intensity of the Trump administration’s crackdown on immigrants, ’s participation has caused consternation and fear that the event could be unsafe for immigrants.
—Verónica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 11 June 2025
However, his play came with some consternation for the organization.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 7 May 2025
Negotiations between the southeast Asian country and Washington D.C. have been closely watched, and the subject of many executives' consternation in recent months.
—Gabrielle Fonrouge, CNBC, 12 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for consternation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for consternation
Noun
-
Six games into the 1981-82 season, Johnson expressed dismay over then-coach Paul Westhead, which paved the way for a 36-year-old Pat Riley to take over as head coach.—
James Jackson,
New York Times,
20 June 2025
-
Panthers players mobbed in the corner, while the Oilers watched in dismay.—
Houston Mitchell,
Los Angeles Times,
18 June 2025
Noun
-
Tesla stock’s gain also came as part of a broader rally: The S&P 500 and tech-heavy Nasdaq each gained nearly 1% as Wall Street shook off fears of escalating geopolitical tensions tied to Iran’s retaliation to U.S. strikes.—
Derek Saul,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2025
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Trump activated 2,000 Natural Guard troops without receiving approval from California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) or Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass (D), who argued that bringing in the reinforcements would inflame tensions in the city.—
Mychael Schnell,
The Hill,
23 June 2025
Noun
-
Yet rather than panic, creators have been quick to adapt.—
Vivian Toh,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2025
-
Yet the faces and the fashions, not to mention the paranoia and the panic, feel very Seventies.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
20 June 2025
Noun
-
Despite the stark beauty in one of the state's most productive agricultural regions, there's a sense of unease among the community's leaders as Congress debates a budget bill that could radically reshape Medicaid, the government health program for low-income people.—
John Daley,
NPR,
22 June 2025
-
Then again, the Justices’ unease about whether children and adolescents can genuinely consent to life-altering treatments would be lacking in the case of adults.—
Jeannie Suk Gersen,
New Yorker,
20 June 2025
Noun
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To add insult to injury, distress at work has been linked to a decrease in innovative work behavior, meaning all that destructive stress ultimately may yield less inspiring work.—
Drew Gerber,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2025
-
The Tennessee law, like Idaho’s, centers on medical care for transgender youth that addresses gender dysphoria, or feelings of distress when a person’s body or presentation doesn’t match their gender identity.—
Nicole Blanchard,
Idaho Statesman,
19 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Consternation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/consternation. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.
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