consternation
Americannoun
noun
Etymology
Origin of consternation
First recorded in 1605–15, consternation is from the Latin word consternātiōn- (stem of consternātiō ). See consternate, -ion
Explanation
Consternation is a noun that can stop you in your tracks because it means "a sudden, alarming amazement or dread that results in utter confusion; dismay." If you have a sense of consternation you have become afraid, disoriented, or completely befuddled. It comes from the Latin roots con- and -sternare, which means "spread out." Picture all of your thoughts strewn about, nothing makes sense and you might experience a state of consternation. Like the nightmare about the class you forgot to go to in high school and now you have to take the final exam!
Vocabulary lists containing consternation
"Harrison Bergeron"
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The Call of the Wild
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Frankenstein
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
I read the letter about the woman who was left her partner’s $1 million house before he died at 76, much to the consternation of his three children.
From MarketWatch ● Nov. 9, 2026
The switch from Platner to Jackson caused some consternation among the party’s grassroots base.
From Salon ● Oct. 12, 2026
TOKYO—A rout in government bonds is pushing up borrowing costs around the world, causing consternation from Washington to Paris to Tokyo.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 7, 2026
“I did not find them. I apologize to the Board of Supervisors and to the registrar’s office and to the registrar for any angst and consternation that could have put on you since then.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 17, 2026
The picture hung in a heavy gold frame, and to the consternation of all children its eyes followed a child about the room.
From "East of Eden" by John Steinbeck
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Get a wordDefinitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
