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
Earlier this year, San Diego Unified’s deal on a contract with its teachers union caused consternation over possible cuts it was feared to have caused to non-teaching staff.
—
Jemma Stephenson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 May 2026
Inglewood, California — FIFA is facing backlash for sky-high prices and fees for the upcoming World Cup, causing consternation among fans and providing fuel to critics who accuse soccer's world governing body of greed.
—Amanda Arden, CBS News, 17 May 2026
Much to the consternation of the fan base, that distinction belongs to the 49ers based on being one of the first teams to play two international games in the same season (Week 1 in Melbourne, Australia, and Week 11 in Mexico City).
—Jerry McDonald, Mercury News, 14 May 2026
Of course, large gatherings of teens have long caused consternation and fear among the olds.
—Eric Levenson, CNN Money, 9 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for consternation
Jemma Stephenson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 May 2026
Inglewood, California — FIFA is facing backlash for sky-high prices and fees for the upcoming World Cup, causing consternation among fans and providing fuel to critics who accuse soccer's world governing body of greed.
—Amanda Arden, CBS News, 17 May 2026
Much to the consternation of the fan base, that distinction belongs to the 49ers based on being one of the first teams to play two international games in the same season (Week 1 in Melbourne, Australia, and Week 11 in Mexico City).
—Jerry McDonald, Mercury News, 14 May 2026
Of course, large gatherings of teens have long caused consternation and fear among the olds.
—Eric Levenson, CNN Money, 9 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for consternation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for consternation
Noun
-
The move ended a mutual defense treaty between Washington and Taipei, much to the dismay at the time of the US Congress, which quickly passed the Taiwan Relations Act to assert its role in relations across the Taiwan Strait.—
Brad Lendon,
CNN Money,
29 May 2026
-
Goldschmidt, lashing through the unhittable delivery, just stood in dismay.—
Mitch Bannon,
New York Times,
26 May 2026
Noun
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Taken together, the two measures highlight a growing tension in a state that prides itself on stewardship of the environment, as policymakers aim to protect threatened or endangered animals while also keeping people, pets and livestock safe.—
Sharon Bernstein,
Sacbee.com,
29 May 2026
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Taken together, the network signals a significant upgrade in Beijing’s efforts to ensure second-strike capability, underscoring intensifying nuclear competition with the United States as tensions rise over issues such as Taiwan’s sovereignty.—
Reuters,
NBC news,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
The onboard camera, sending video back to the remote pilot in real time, captures his panic.—
David L. Stern,
Washington Post,
31 May 2026
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In the years following, Beijing funded or armed fellow communists in Vietnam, North Korea, Burma, Malaysia, Thailand and Cambodia, causing panic in Washington and other Western capitals as the ideological struggles of the Cold War rippled across Asia.—
Dhruv Tikekar,
CNN Money,
30 May 2026
Noun
-
The constant movement might make some audience members dizzy, yet its jitteriness signifies the anxiety and unease of the characters, both in their skin and with each other.—
Murtada Elfadl,
Variety,
25 May 2026
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All that party infighting — present before every primary, but at a fever pitch now — comes against a backdrop of broader voter unease about the war in Iran, volatile oil and gas prices, and the burgeoning threat of AI to the American workforce.—
Kevin Rector,
Los Angeles Times,
24 May 2026
Noun
-
Chaofeng Ge arrived in ICE custody last summer at a Pennsylvania facility run by the GEO Group in mental distress, having pleaded guilty to a minor gift card fraud and attempted suicide in state custody, said David Rankin, an attorney representing Ge's family.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
27 May 2026
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The petition that initially accused Lopez of political bribery, intentional evasion of the insurance process, property damage and child endangerment was narrowed to negligence and emotional distress.—
Sofi Zeman,
Kansas City Star,
27 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Consternation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/consternation. Accessed 1 Jun. 2026.
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