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
Three people with knowledge of those interests said there was consternation among insiders that forcing Maduro out could foment chaos and unrest and impede their access.
—
Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA Today, 30 Oct. 2025
The first one fails and the second one misses, much to the consternation of those soldiers operating the system and the officials who paid for it.
—Geoff Brumfiel, NPR, 24 Oct. 2025
Much of the consternation at the school centers around the 120-foot cell tower located 130 feet from the school.
—Laura Bauer, Kansas City Star, 23 Oct. 2025
The sound of her stomping up the staircase causes her parents to share a look of weary consternation.
—Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for consternation
Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA Today, 30 Oct. 2025
The first one fails and the second one misses, much to the consternation of those soldiers operating the system and the officials who paid for it.
—Geoff Brumfiel, NPR, 24 Oct. 2025
Much of the consternation at the school centers around the 120-foot cell tower located 130 feet from the school.
—Laura Bauer, Kansas City Star, 23 Oct. 2025
The sound of her stomping up the staircase causes her parents to share a look of weary consternation.
—Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for consternation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for consternation
Noun
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Summit players fell to the turf in dismay; Seguin players jubilantly sprinted around the visitor’s turf.—
Cody Thorn,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
7 Nov. 2025
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See video … MICHELLE BACKUS – Zohran Mamdani’s fiery speech surprises some, to the dismay of others.—
,
FOXNews.com,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
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The peace declaration included a commitment to withdraw heavy weapons from the border, de-mining efforts, and to de-escalate tensions that erupted into the brief but deadly border conflict.—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
11 Nov. 2025
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Meanwhile, the David Lynch–style tension built by Will’s arrival just kind of fizzles.—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
10 Nov. 2025
Noun
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The shooting occurred outside a Safeway location near Golden Gate Park, sending bystanders into panic.—
Adeola Adeosun,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Nov. 2025
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Even if climate change does not trigger a full-fledged economic panic, whole regions will be thinned out and impoverished.—
Vann R. Newkirk II,
The Atlantic,
10 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Directed by Tiago Rosa-Rosso, the film stages a gently absurd domestic scenario that drifts between comedy and unease, unfoldig like a theatrical chamber piece where logic slips and all is up for questioning.—
Callum McLennan,
Variety,
7 Nov. 2025
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The feature opens as Magda’s son returns from the front to this world without men, with his arrival stirring a growing unease among the group.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Certain symptoms that signaled addictive food behavior were also more common among women, like inability to decrease intake, greater cravings and distress about their consumption.—
Helen Carefoot,
Flow Space,
11 Nov. 2025
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Roughly half of all low-income countries are in or near debt distress, which can significantly exacerbate food insecurity.—
ARIF HUSAIN,
Foreign Affairs,
11 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Consternation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/consternation. Accessed 17 Nov. 2025.
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