CONSTERNATION Synonyms: 80 Similar and Opposite Words

consternation

noun

Definition of consternation

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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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 The decision on Iv was not without other consternation as well. — Helen I. Bennett, Hartford Courant, 25 Sep. 2026 The ban came without rhyme or reason, aside from Trump expressing consternation over coverage and threatening further bans against other networks. — Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 19 Sep. 2026 His injury-riddled tenure in Boston has warranted that consternation. — Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026 Much of their consternation stems from the fact that the DWP plan provides no specifics about where the hydrogen will come from, or how the highly combustible material will be transported to the power plant and stored there. — Los Angeles Times, 10 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for consternation

Recent Examples of Synonyms for consternation

Noun

When news got around that a new movie version of Sense and Sensibility was in the works, cries of dismay rang forth from Bath to Brooklyn.

— Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 16 Oct. 2026
To his dismay, many of the exultant people in cowboy hats, burnt orange T-shirts and other spirit gear appeared to be of South Asian heritage.

— Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of dismay

Noun

Her remarks angered China and led to tensions that have spilled over into the economy.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 20 Oct. 2026
But the precedent of past legal disputes and rising tension between the President and Reyes leave some experts wondering if this project will advance.

— Rebecca Schneid, Time, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of tension

Noun

This week, Indonesian equities experienced another round of panic selling, triggered by reports that major index provider MSCI is considering downgrading the country's stock market status.

— , CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026
The few instances of panic were magnified by newspapers eager to discredit the new medium of radio.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of panic

Noun

The rise of self-harm influencers—people for whom demonstrating their distress online has become a source of income and validation—is a terrifying new development.

— Gavin Francis, The New York Review of Books, 24 Oct. 2026
CoreWeave, the leader of the pack, has seen spreads on its CDS widen past 11%, generally viewed as a distress level, as investors have to pay up for protection against default.

— Isabel O'Brien, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of distress

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constellations

consternation

constituent

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“Consternation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/consternation. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of consternation

noun

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