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
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
Kenya last month raised national park entry fees by between 50 and 200% to the consternation of many in the industry.
—Martin K.n Siele, semafor.com, 3 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
For all the consternation and criticism over their roster construction, the Oilers have won the Western Conference for two seasons running and should enter the 2025-26 season as one of the conference favorites.
—Eric Stephens, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for consternation
Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 14 Oct. 2025
Kenya last month raised national park entry fees by between 50 and 200% to the consternation of many in the industry.
—Martin K.n Siele, semafor.com, 3 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
For all the consternation and criticism over their roster construction, the Oilers have won the Western Conference for two seasons running and should enter the 2025-26 season as one of the conference favorites.
—Eric Stephens, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for consternation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for consternation
Noun
-
Unfortunate outcast kids Lilly (Clara Stack), Ronnie (Amanda Christine), Phil (Jack Molloy Legault) and Terry (Mikkal Karim Fidler) are at the center of the mysterious disappearances and the supernatural horrors, to their very poor luck and dismay of the adults in their lives.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
23 Oct. 2025
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Factory owners expressed their dismay on social media, noting that while workplace safety had improved significantly over the past decade, unregulated factories remained vulnerable.—
Mayu Saini,
Sourcing Journal,
20 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
That marked a significant cooling of tensions, after a recent volley of tariff threats and fresh export curbs threatened to derail the bilateral relationship.—
Bloomberg,
Fortune,
27 Oct. 2025
-
After the Hamas attacks on Southern Israel on October 7, 2023, tensions rise inside and outside the couple’s home.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
27 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Postpartum anxiety is excessive worrying or panic that happens after having or adopting a baby, according to the Cleveland Clinic.—
Korin Miller,
SELF,
28 Oct. 2025
-
Others pushed back in the opposite direction, insisting our constant state of panic is unsustainable.—
Marc Brackett,
Time,
28 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Unlike past contests, this vote has unfolded against a backdrop of deep sociopolitical unease and visible youth engagement.—
Amindeh Blaise Atabong,
semafor.com,
27 Oct. 2025
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This shift, unprecedented in modern Japanese history, has prompted unease among nationalist groups and some conservative politicians.—
Micah McCartney,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
In times of distress and blood loss, the body responds by slowing circulation to our fingers and our toes, preserving blood flow to our heart, and our brain.—
Laura Trujillo,
USA Today,
28 Oct. 2025
-
Severe or prolonged distress when separated from a parent.—
Melissa Willets,
Parents,
28 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Consternation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/consternation. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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