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
But the controversy has caused consternation among USC professors past and present.
—
Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 21 Mar. 2026
Much to my surprise and consternation, my dear Adlai Stevenson was not declared the winner.
—David S. Kravet, Hartford Courant, 17 Mar. 2026
His administration has already promised to release the nation’s oil reserves to relieve pressure and has eased sanctions on Russian oil, to the consternation of European leaders.
—Mabinty Quarshie, The Washington Examiner, 14 Mar. 2026
There has also been bipartisan consternation that the documents that were ultimately released did not protect each survivor's identity and that DOJ released sensitive photographs in violation of the Epstein Transparency Act, which called for redactions of that material.
—John Parkinson, ABC News, 4 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for consternation
Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 21 Mar. 2026
Much to my surprise and consternation, my dear Adlai Stevenson was not declared the winner.
—David S. Kravet, Hartford Courant, 17 Mar. 2026
His administration has already promised to release the nation’s oil reserves to relieve pressure and has eased sanctions on Russian oil, to the consternation of European leaders.
—Mabinty Quarshie, The Washington Examiner, 14 Mar. 2026
There has also been bipartisan consternation that the documents that were ultimately released did not protect each survivor's identity and that DOJ released sensitive photographs in violation of the Epstein Transparency Act, which called for redactions of that material.
—John Parkinson, ABC News, 4 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for consternation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for consternation
Noun
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Much to the dismay of White Sox fans, the team’s home opener was delayed Thursday, with the game postponed a day due to the aforementioned weather.—
Claire Malon,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Apr. 2026
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Speaking to the Star-Telegram, Ledet expressed dismay at how her son’s case has been handled from the beginning.—
Matthew Adams,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
An intense search-and-rescue effort is underway for the second crew member of an F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jet that crashed in Iran amid escalating tension in the Middle East.—
Amanda Lee Myers,
USA Today,
4 Apr. 2026
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Starbucks’ $500 million turnaround effort and union tensions The coffee chain’s new pay perks come amid a $500 million turnaround effort and ongoing tensions with unionized workers.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Two decades ago, his grandfather was riding his bicycle when he got cut off by a car, and squeezed his brakes in a panic.—
Scott Horsley,
NPR,
29 Mar. 2026
-
No endgame That ought to provide some perspective on the panic over the war in the Middle East.—
Bret Stephens,
Mercury News,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
But that same inspiration has sometimes drawn questions — and unease — from potential buyers.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
3 Apr. 2026
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But in the shadows, amid growing unease at the bloodthirsty actions of the realm’s merciless Mad King, dissenters from his inner circle anxiously advance a treasonous plot.—
Ryan Brennan
April 3,
Charlotte Observer,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
There is a long history of women's pain being dismissed by doctors, incorrectly categorized as period pain or rooted in psychological distress.—
Madeline Mitchell,
USA Today,
2 Apr. 2026
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The lawsuit accuses the driver, named as a defendant, of assault and battery, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.—
Nick Lentz,
CBS News,
1 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Consternation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/consternation. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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