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.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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
But all 12 are saturated with deceit, consternation and heartbreak.
—
Linda Robertson, Miami Herald, 2 Mar. 2025
To some initial consternation, a Texan actor named Renée Zellweger is cast as the UK’s essential heroine, a character who, by then, is already globally understood to be a byword for contemporary, cosmopolitan womanhood.
—Hugh Grant, Vogue, 14 Feb. 2025
But a developer with big ambitions to meaningfully improve and rethink a long-running franchise deserves some consideration amid the consternation.
—Kevin Purdy, Ars Technica, 7 Feb. 2025
Their aggressiveness has sparked outcry and consternation.
—Fabian Ardaya, The Athletic, 23 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for consternation
Linda Robertson, Miami Herald, 2 Mar. 2025
To some initial consternation, a Texan actor named Renée Zellweger is cast as the UK’s essential heroine, a character who, by then, is already globally understood to be a byword for contemporary, cosmopolitan womanhood.
—Hugh Grant, Vogue, 14 Feb. 2025
But a developer with big ambitions to meaningfully improve and rethink a long-running franchise deserves some consideration amid the consternation.
—Kevin Purdy, Ars Technica, 7 Feb. 2025
Their aggressiveness has sparked outcry and consternation.
—Fabian Ardaya, The Athletic, 23 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for consternation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for consternation
Noun
-
Recently, Interpreter mode for live translations and Family Bell announcements for setting personalized reminders were both discontinued to the dismay of many frequent users.—
Paul Monckton,
Forbes,
20 Mar. 2025
-
Nevertheless, Kennedy has touted the vitamin and falsely claimed that good nutrition protects against the virus, much to the dismay of pediatricians.—
Ars Technica,
Ars Technica,
20 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Over one of the most powerful bridges in pop history, tension builds as Gaga’s vocals cascade around you.—
Kristen S. Hé,
Vulture,
19 Mar. 2025
-
The collections presented during the recent Paris, Milan, and London shows reveal designers navigating the tension between innovation and heritage.—
Angela Lei,
Forbes,
19 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
That idea—of a grand continuum, in which the circumstances change but all of our big human feelings (heartache, joy, unease, panic, contentment) remain the same, across time and vast distances—felt germane to her new songs.—
Amanda Petrusich,
The New Yorker,
17 Mar. 2025
-
Mix that with panic, dread, and disappointment from the judges, pack your bags!—
Joey Nolfi,
EW.com,
15 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
As policy stances shift constantly, families are left with a sense of unease and confusion that is confounded by the stress of adjusting to their new lives.—
Clara-Sophia Daly,
Miami Herald,
19 Mar. 2025
-
As Khalil’s arrest in New York casts confusion and unease, educators and international students in the Chicago area and beyond are sounding the alarm and bracing for unprecedented intellectual repression.—
Zareen Syed,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
While local authorities have since said the incident spawned from a physical altercation between two attendees, and that firearms were not involved, the resulting melee left at least 10 people with non-life-threatening injuries and numerous claiming emotion distress.—
Daniel Libit,
Sportico.com,
15 Mar. 2025
-
Garcia’s damages included physical pain, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, humiliation, inconvenience, grief, disfigurement, physical impairment, anxiety and emotional distress, according to a recording of the verdict from Courtroom View Network.—
Ramishah Maruf,
CNN,
14 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Consternation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/consternation. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share