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
The leak caused consternation from department brass, Moers alleged, who were not happy that his commission had circumvented proper channels to receive emergency funding.
—
Sam Tabachnik, Denver Post, 24 Apr. 2026
That's been an area of consternation at times throughout the season.
—ABC News, 22 Apr. 2026
The operation brought together the CIA officers and state authorities in Chihuahua, and that collaboration was a source of consternation for Mexican federal officials.
—Steve Fisher, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2026
Phillips went back to the well on the next pitch and plunked Adames, prompting some consternation from San Francisco’s shortstop.
—Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 16 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for consternation
Sam Tabachnik, Denver Post, 24 Apr. 2026
That's been an area of consternation at times throughout the season.
—ABC News, 22 Apr. 2026
The operation brought together the CIA officers and state authorities in Chihuahua, and that collaboration was a source of consternation for Mexican federal officials.
—Steve Fisher, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2026
Phillips went back to the well on the next pitch and plunked Adames, prompting some consternation from San Francisco’s shortstop.
—Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 16 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for consternation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for consternation
Noun
-
While the days of wearing in-flight formalwear are long gone (much to Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy’s dismay), there are wardrobe clues that may imply someone is headed to a boardroom and not the beach.—
Joey Skladany,
Travel + Leisure,
15 May 2026
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In addition to her comment on McDonald's post, Yvette Nicole Brown also expressed her dismay over Pratt's run on Threads.—
Ashley Hume,
FOXNews.com,
13 May 2026
Noun
-
Advertisement Xi’s invocation of Thucydides’ Trap comes at a time when tensions between the rival superpowers could boil over on any of a number of issues, from trade to AI to Taiwan.—
Chad de Guzman,
Time,
15 May 2026
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Senator Peter Welch framed the same tension through affordability, arguing that the system increasingly shifts costs, complexity and administrative burden across institutions while patients experience rising anxiety and diminishing visibility into how care decisions are made.—
Demetri Giannikopoulos,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2026
Noun
-
Its candor incited a small-scale moral panic.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 May 2026
-
The events triggered a sense of panic among Democrats.—
Jason Zengerle,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
Noun
-
Though the vote still failed largely along party lines, Murkowski's flip was a warning sign for the White House about the unease of some Republicans on Capitol Hill as the conflict drags on.—
Zachary Schermele,
USA Today,
13 May 2026
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Many Asian countries now count China as their largest trading partner, a reality that creates both opportunity and unease.—
Yu Jie,
Time,
13 May 2026
Noun
-
Interfering with a fawn is discouraged; observe from a distance and contact wildlife professionals only if the fawn shows signs of injury, distress, or the mother's prolonged absence.—
Cody Godwin,
USA Today,
13 May 2026
-
There is tap-dancing, a wall that resembles the night sky, a prop headband that resembles a Plumbob, and the discovery that every actor onstage can imitate the animation a Sim does while in distress.—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
13 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Consternation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/consternation. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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