Definition

1. Noun:
   • A feeling of anxiety, shock, or dismay: "Consternation" refers to a strong emotional state of alarm, confusion, or fear, typically caused by something unexpected or threatening. It implies being so surprised or frightened that one is unsure how to react.

Usage

• "Consternation" is an uncountable noun. It describes a collective or general feeling, not individual instances. It is often used in formal or literary contexts.
• Common sentence patterns:
  • cause/throw someone into consternation
  • be filled with consternation
  • To someone's consternation, ...
  • consternation at/over something

Examples

• Noun:
  • The news of the sudden policy change was met with widespread consternation among the employees.
  • To her consternation, she realized she had left her passport at home.
  • His announcement caused great consternation in the room.

Advanced Usage

• "Much to someone's consternation": Used to introduce a fact or event that causes someone significant dismay or shock.
  • Much to the teacher's consternation, half the class failed the exam.
• "Consternation reigned": A literary phrase meaning a feeling of consternation was pervasive in a group or place.
  • Consternation reigned in the headquarters when the system failed.

Variants and Related Words

• Consternate (verb, rare/archaic): To fill with consternation.
  • The sudden turn of events consternated the entire council.

Synonyms

• Dismay: A loss of courage or resolution from alarm or fear.
• Alarm: A sudden fear or anxious concern.
• Trepidation: A feeling of fear or agitation about something that may happen.
• Panic: Sudden uncontrollable fear or anxiety.

Antonyms

• Composure: The state of being calm and in control of oneself.
• Equanimity: Mental calmness and composure, especially in a difficult situation.
• Reassurance: The action of removing someone's doubts or fears.

Idioms and Phrases

• To stare in consternation: To look at something with a shocked or dismayed expression.
  • They stared in consternation at the damage caused by the storm.
• A look/gasp of consternation: A facial expression or sound showing sudden dismay.
  • A gasp of consternation escaped the audience when the speaker collapsed.

Noun

1. fear resulting from the awareness of danger