consternate

[ kon-ster-neyt ]

verb (used with object)

, con·ster·nat·ed, con·ster·nat·ing.

1. to dismay, confuse, or terrify.

consternate

/ ˈkɒnstəˌneɪt /

verb

1. tr; usually passive to fill with anxiety, dismay, dread, or confusion

Other Words From

• un·conster·nated adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of consternate¹

1645–55; < Latin consternātus, past participle of consternāre to unsettle, throw into confusion, perhaps intensive derivative of consternere to cover, spread (with) ( con- con- + sternere to strew; stratum ), though sense development uncertain

Word History and Origins

Origin of consternate¹

C17: from Latin consternāre, from sternere to lay low, spread out

Example Sentences

If we were to disarm, as these ladies advise, war would come upon us with consternate suddenness.

From Project Gutenberg