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
Zuckerberg spelled out his vision of free speech at Georgetown in 2019, to the consternation and shock of the Left; Facebook then proceeded to cave, engaging in mass censorship.
—
Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 7 Jan. 2025
The Trump administration’s desire to make Greenland part of the US has caused considerable consternation among the Indigenous population of just 57,000 people—though this isn’t the first time that America has made a bid for ownership of this gargantuan Arctic landmass.
—Rob Crossan, JSTOR Daily, 10 Feb. 2025
Before its collapse, the governing coalition caused consternation in Brussels when both the Labour Party and the euroskeptic Center Party opposed the renewal of two ageing energy transmission cables exporting power to neighboring Denmark, prompting accusations of energy nationalism.
—Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 4 Feb. 2025
Cowboy Carter, a genre-blending opus that caused consternation in the country-music world, is one example of that approach.
—Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 3 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for consternation
Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 7 Jan. 2025
The Trump administration’s desire to make Greenland part of the US has caused considerable consternation among the Indigenous population of just 57,000 people—though this isn’t the first time that America has made a bid for ownership of this gargantuan Arctic landmass.
—Rob Crossan, JSTOR Daily, 10 Feb. 2025
Before its collapse, the governing coalition caused consternation in Brussels when both the Labour Party and the euroskeptic Center Party opposed the renewal of two ageing energy transmission cables exporting power to neighboring Denmark, prompting accusations of energy nationalism.
—Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 4 Feb. 2025
Cowboy Carter, a genre-blending opus that caused consternation in the country-music world, is one example of that approach.
—Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 3 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for consternation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for consternation
Noun
-
Much to the dismay of proud Gen X viewers, many do.—
Mara Reinstein,
The Hollywood Reporter,
24 Feb. 2025
-
Townsend was adjudged to have fouled Richie Saunders, to the dismay of the vocal home crowd.—
Ben Morse,
CNN,
24 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Rather, according to the article, their union ended because of tension in their work and married life.—
Joseph Hudak,
Rolling Stone,
7 Mar. 2025
-
The tension reflects broader trade policy frictions.—
Ronak D. Desai,
Forbes,
7 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
But another 454 people were injured during the ensuing panic.—
Elizabeth Hernandez,
The Denver Post,
7 Mar. 2025
-
Then, as now, much of the moral panic over what's being taught in schools is really rooted in anxieties about the racial order of the United States.—
Gene Demby,
NPR,
7 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
However, the romantic narrative is punctuated by subtle moments of unease, each barely perceptible on its own but which, taken together, build into something rather more sinister.—
Stephanie Hirschmiller,
Forbes,
6 Mar. 2025
-
More than a year later, the campus remains in a state of bewildered unease.—
Nathan Heller,
The New Yorker,
3 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Get ahead of a tween’s difficult feelings by recognizing the early signs of emotional distress, such as disruption in sleep and less interest in their hobbies, and reroute all-or-nothing thoughts, suggests Daniel Huy, PsyD, a clinical psychologist at Hackensack Meridian Health.—
Sherri Gordon,
Parents,
4 Mar. 2025
-
At Yosemite, a group of protesters also hung a 30-by-50-foot U.S. flag upside down—historically a symbol of dire distress—off the side of El Capitan, the park’s iconic sheer cliff face, on February 22 to raise awareness about the administration’s cuts.—
Bailey Berg,
AFAR Media,
4 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Consternation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/consternation. Accessed 10 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share