CONSTERNATION Synonyms: 80 Similar and Opposite Words

consternation

noun

Definition of consternation

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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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 There had been consternation in the buildup to this World Cup hosted by the United States (mostly), Canada and Mexico. — Miami Herald, 12 July 2026 The effort is a response to the rise of AI music generators such as Suno and Udio, which have caused consternation to artists over how their work may have helped train their models and to music labels for allegedly infringing their copyrights. — Corbin Bolies, Variety, 10 July 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for consternation

Recent Examples of Synonyms for consternation

Noun

Incredibly, neither finalist was able to beat the Blue Sharks in 90 minutes of soccer – the nation also held Spain to a 0-0 draw in its opening group-stage fixture, much to the dismay of the above Spanish editor.

— Ben Church, CNN Money, 17 July 2026
Even Athena, if that genuinely is whom Zendaya is playing, isn’t that helpful, mostly staring at Odysseus in mute dismay.

— Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 15 July 2026

Definition of dismay

Noun

Once their ships turned away, the tension dramatically decreased, though hours later China Coast Guard ships could be seen in the distance still shadowing the Philippine vessels.

— Ivan Watson, CNN Money, 24 July 2026
Eventually, Armstrong stepped in to try and personally ease tensions, offering himself as Caneer’s direct point of contact and paying a peace visit to Caneer’s home in Pebble Beach bearing a gift basket of beef jerky, olive oil and wine.

— Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 23 July 2026

Definition of tension

Noun

The Red Sox have surged without their injured ace, Garrett Crochet, who last pitched on April 25, the day Breslow fired manager Alex Cora and five coaches in a panic move, power play or, perhaps, a prescient vision of what a change could mean.

— Tyler Kepner, New York Times, 20 July 2026
Mediation may yet come back into focus if oil markets panic and the price of crude returns above $100 on the back of shrinking reserves worldwide.

— Tim Lister, CNN Money, 20 July 2026

Definition of panic

Noun

The Leeds quartet built a reputation on sardonic observations about modern life, packaging political unease inside wiry post-punk.

— Sophie Miller, Rolling Stone, 19 July 2026
This, combined with the sheer horror of many of the crimes committed against the Bowdens, generates a tension in the viewer that makes the unease a young Antosca felt watching the 1962 film feel tame by comparison.

— Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 17 July 2026

Definition of unease

Noun

Research supports this, showing that accepting difficult feelings leads to faster recovery and less long-term distress compared to suppression, which can worsen anxiety and depression.

— Kevin Kruse, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
The environment of a busy pool may trigger sensory overload and distress, causing children to cry or want to leave.

— Tana Carson, The Conversation, 17 July 2026

Definition of distress

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constellations

consternation

constituent

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“Consternation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/consternation. Accessed 24 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of consternation

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