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 sound of her stomping up the staircase causes her parents to share a look of weary consternation.
—
Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 2025
Yeah, there is consternation in Congress about this.
—NBC news, 19 Oct. 2025
In the bit, Rihanna and Ronnie (Andy Samberg) are dropping knowledge to a group of grade schoolers with the singer crooning in her power range as timid Ronnie can barely rise above a whisper to her utter consternation.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 14 Oct. 2025
However, after some consternation following his absence from practice on Wednesday, there is good news out of Tampa regarding Mayfield.
—Josh Buckhalter, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for consternation
Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 2025
Yeah, there is consternation in Congress about this.
—NBC news, 19 Oct. 2025
In the bit, Rihanna and Ronnie (Andy Samberg) are dropping knowledge to a group of grade schoolers with the singer crooning in her power range as timid Ronnie can barely rise above a whisper to her utter consternation.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 14 Oct. 2025
However, after some consternation following his absence from practice on Wednesday, there is good news out of Tampa regarding Mayfield.
—Josh Buckhalter, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for consternation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for consternation
Noun
-
Lamenting the state of life in a post-pandemic world, Peck offers an alternative to the dismay and disconnection of modernity with a dreamy, escapist country melody that offers to make like the title and simply float off into the distance.—
Stephen Daw,
Billboard,
31 Oct. 2025
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Consequently, the creeping dismay of Henry Hill’s tablemates is at least as significant as Ray Liotta’s rising panic and fear.—
Graham Hillard,
The Washington Examiner,
31 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Surveillance footage from inside the Domino’s shows pandemonium — customers wearing Halloween accessories, people standing on tables and chairs and others recording on their phones as tensions escalated.—
Bonny Chu,
FOXNews.com,
3 Nov. 2025
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When asked about the tension between communal theatrical experiences and streaming platforms, both directors acknowledged the paradox.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
3 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Redirect their attention If your dog is anxious and barking in a panic, your first step is to remove them from the trigger.—
Madeline Gunderson,
USA Today,
2 Nov. 2025
-
At times, though, the panic would close in on me.—
Brad Schmitt,
Nashville Tennessean,
2 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
But each story adds to the uncertainty and unease in the air.—
Brian Stelter,
CNN Money,
31 Oct. 2025
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The unease was amplified by the woman’s explanation that the prints appeared in an area of the apartment not easily accessed.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Appearing in court on Monday, Barton pleaded not guilty to 12 charges of sending a grossly offensive communication with the intention of causing distress or anxiety.—
Greg O'Keeffe,
New York Times,
3 Nov. 2025
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The family is seeking damages for negligence and emotional distress.—
Real-Time News team,
Miami Herald,
3 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Consternation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/consternation. Accessed 5 Nov. 2025.
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