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
There has been no shortage of consternation about the damage artificial intelligence may inflict on our society and jobs.
—
Joe McKendrick, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
Mamdani’s sudden rise to prominence after his stunning upset victory over Cuomo in the 2025 Democratic mayoral primary, and his self-identification as a democratic socialist, has caused consternation among some of the city’s business elite.
—Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 28 Jan. 2026
Last year’s bill also struck the provision now causing consternation.
—Alexandra Glorioso, Miami Herald, 27 Jan. 2026
The move caused consternation because of the conflict with high school football playoff games.
—Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for consternation
Joe McKendrick, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
Mamdani’s sudden rise to prominence after his stunning upset victory over Cuomo in the 2025 Democratic mayoral primary, and his self-identification as a democratic socialist, has caused consternation among some of the city’s business elite.
—Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 28 Jan. 2026
Last year’s bill also struck the provision now causing consternation.
—Alexandra Glorioso, Miami Herald, 27 Jan. 2026
The move caused consternation because of the conflict with high school football playoff games.
—Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for consternation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for consternation
Noun
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The two become inseparable, to the dismay of Cathy’s paid companion Nelly (Vi Nguyen), and only become closer after Heathcliff takes a beating on Cathy’s behalf from her alcoholic father (Martin Clunes) for missing his birthday celebration.—
Damon Wise,
Deadline,
11 Feb. 2026
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Social media users expressed their dismay at the site crash and how quickly the kits sold out.—
Katey Psencik,
Austin American Statesman,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
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India and Beijing had summit-level engagement despite enduring border tensions along the Himalayan frontier.—
Dewardric L. McNeal,
CNBC,
13 Feb. 2026
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The House announcement Thursday afternoon caught the Senate off guard, forcing its leaders to scramble to release their version of the state budget Friday and causing some obvious tension between the two chambers reminiscent of last year’s disputes over tax plans and budget priorities.—
Jeffrey Schweers,
The Orlando Sentinel,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
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January’s nonfarm payrolls report and consumer price index, set to hit screens days after their original release dates , could re-instill confidence in the market following a recent bout of panic selling.—
Sarah Min,
CNBC,
6 Feb. 2026
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That level of panic is premature, experts say.—
Kaitlyn Huamani,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The score hums and pulses with modern unease, making the film feel like a fever dream that happens to borrow Brontë’s names.—
Ana Gutierrez,
Austin American Statesman,
11 Feb. 2026
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The Nancy Guthrie case highlights mounting unease over how much control Nest‑ and Ring‑style devices give both tech companies and law enforcement over intimate footage from people’s homes.—
Ashley Lutz,
Fortune,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Office conversions to residential, especially in New York City, are also helping mitigate some of the distress.—
Diana Olick,
CNBC,
11 Feb. 2026
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Only four districts face significant fiscal distress — a decline from prior years.—
John Manly,
Mercury News,
10 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Consternation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/consternation. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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