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.

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

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 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 The trade drew consternation from many Dallas fans who were critical of the team's decision to trade away the now-27-year-old face of the franchise. — Joe Walsh, CBS News, 10 Sep. 2026 Rising bond yields have been causing plenty of consternation among fiscal hawks and investors, with good reason. — Jeanne Sahadi, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2026 Customers expressed so much consternation that two years later, the company reinstated the slate of old faithful flavors. — HubSpot, 1 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for consternation

Recent Examples of Synonyms for consternation

Noun

And to my family’s dismay, more good books are being published every week.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 1 Oct. 2026
Just like that, months of dismay — and his 0-for-3 start to the afternoon — were forgotten.

— Gabriel Burns, AJC.com, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of dismay

Noun

The killing of a woman in Okinawa has sparked an outcry across Japan and inflamed long-simmering tensions over the US military presence on the island.

— Harriet Marsden, TheWeek, 7 Oct. 2026
The long sleeves of the blazer included a bevy of thin, frayed feathers that created textural tension.

— Julia Teti, Footwear News, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of tension

Noun

The aircraft plunged thousands of feet in two minutes, causing panic and forcing the flight to make an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.

— Mitchell McCluskey, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2026
After roughly two days of investigation, police informed the public the entire panic was driven by a hoax.

— Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of panic

Noun

When presented together and thought juxtapositionally, the works launch visitors onto an emotional pendulum that pivots from exhilaration to unease and distress.

— Tina M. Campt, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026
The survey quantifies the sense of unease and frustration many customers of these new-wave insurers feel.

— Ron Hurtibise, Sun Sentinel, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of unease

Noun

However, as some researchers have pointed out, the available studies didn’t assess whether emotions are actually regulated through the chatbot, and therefore conflate distress relief with attachment.

— Pascal Vrticka, Scientific American, 4 Oct. 2026
In a statement made through Carey, the Mayich family said Bales should be looking into why the workout was allowed and why it wasn't stopped when players were in visible distress with no water or rest.

— ABC News, ABC News, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of distress

Browse Nearby Words

constellations

consternation

constituent

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Consternation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/consternation. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of consternation

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

inscrutable

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Popular

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes