CONSTERNATION Synonyms: 80 Similar and Opposite Words

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.

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Recent Examples of consternation The move caused consternation because of the conflict with high school football playoff games. —

Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Jan. 2026 The four Democratic members of the JBC, which controls the state budget, asked with growing consternation why the Department of Corrections hadn’t brought them a plan to address overcrowding, to step up releases of old and infirm inmates, or to improve its own shortcomings. —

Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 22 Jan. 2026 The latter move has already received push back from the company’s staff in France, who expressed consternation given the fact their unions had only recently struck a deal for employees to work three days oat the office , with two days at home. —

Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 22 Jan. 2026 The appropriations bills passed despite widespread consternation from Democrats over keeping the lights on at the Department of Homeland Security. —

Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 22 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for consternation

Recent Examples of Synonyms for consternation

Noun

Pretti’s killing, in particular, struck a chord of dismay with a cross section of Americans.

— Tressie McMillan Cottom, Mercury News, 7 Feb. 2026
As Aleppo’s defenses crumbled, Assad remained in Moscow, to the shock and dismay of his commanders back home.

— Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 6 Feb. 2026