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
Ja’Quan McMillian’s pick-six put Denver up 10-0 early and took any lingering consternation mostly out of the equation.
—
Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 15 Jan. 2026
The president says banks should cap credit card interest at 10% for a year — an idea that elicits some applause from borrowers and a lot of consternation from finance companies.
—Joel Mathis, TheWeek, 14 Jan. 2026
Spoelstra, whose team next hosts the Boston Celtics on Thursday night, explained his consternation over the honor of longest tenured with a single team.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 14 Jan. 2026
Both foes had five blocks each, which added to Williams’ consternation.
—Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 14 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for consternation
Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 15 Jan. 2026
The president says banks should cap credit card interest at 10% for a year — an idea that elicits some applause from borrowers and a lot of consternation from finance companies.
—Joel Mathis, TheWeek, 14 Jan. 2026
Spoelstra, whose team next hosts the Boston Celtics on Thursday night, explained his consternation over the honor of longest tenured with a single team.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 14 Jan. 2026
Both foes had five blocks each, which added to Williams’ consternation.
—Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 14 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for consternation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for consternation
Noun
-
There is bafflement alongside the dismay.—
Alexander Smith,
NBC news,
10 Jan. 2026
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My seven-year-old, the daredevil of the family, was just an inch or so off the height requirements for zip lining high above the Central Park neighborhood and the FlowRider surf simulator, much to her dismay.—
Chrissie McClatchie,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
In August 2023, Starsiak Hawk opened up about tension between her and her family on her podcast, Mina AF.—
Erin Clements,
PEOPLE,
14 Jan. 2026
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South Korean officials have said that Lee and Takaichi would likely touch on the tensions between China and Japan on Lee’s two-day visit.—
Miranda Jeyaretnam,
Time,
13 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Witnesses described scenes of panic as flames spread rapidly through the basement level before engulfing the upper floor.—
Moná Thomas,
PEOPLE,
6 Jan. 2026
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Kaitlin spent the first weeks of her newborn son’s life in a panic.—
Lucas Waldron,
ProPublica,
6 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
But a sense of unease overshadows it.—
Laura Turbay,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Jan. 2026
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Today the sprawling complex is a museum and visitor attraction, where a sense of unease lurks along paved tourist trails and lingers in dark corridors.—
Maureen O'Hare,
CNN Money,
10 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
And don't sprinkle your plants or the soil with red pepper, which can cause irritation and distress.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
22 Jan. 2026
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Portrayals of girls and women in conditions of acute hardship or distress are a common theme of the collection.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
22 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Consternation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/consternation. Accessed 23 Jan. 2026.
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