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consternation definition

con·ster·na·tion (kän′stər nā′s̸hən)

noun

great fear or shock that makes one feel helpless or bewildered

Etymology: L consternatio < consternare, to terrify < com-, intens. + base akin to L sternax, headstrong, restive < IE base *ster-, rigid, stiff > stare, strenuous

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

consternation Synonyms

consternation

n.

alarm, dismay, shock, terror; see confusion 2, fear 1, wonder 1.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

consternation Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • cause: The delay is causing consternation in the drives sector which has been counting on the ECA to deliver a boost in sales.

Adjective modifier

  • sudden: She leaned forward in component of database management system sudden consternation.

Noun used with modifier

  • spread: The Third Crusade is organized The news of the taking of Jerusalem spread consternation throughout western Christendom.

Possessives

  • father: In college, she started reading the New York Times, " much to [ her ] father's consternation " .

Preposition: among

  • customer: BSkyB's newly launched broadband internet service is causing consternation among some customers who have encountered a variety of glitches.

Preposition: in

  • circle: The awarding of such a sensitive contract to DynCorp has caused consternation in some circles over the company's policing record.

Preposition: of

  • majority: But Mr Cameron has proposed precisely that, to the consternation of the majority of Tory MEPs.
consternation usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

consternation quotes

Every known class of refusal was successfully exhibited. Onehorse endeavoured to climbtherailsintothe Grand Stand; another, having stoppeddeadatthecritical point, swung round, and returned in consternation to the starting-point, with hisrider hanging likea locket around his neck. Another, dowered with a sense of humour

-Martin Ross

consternation quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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"consternation." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 4 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/consternation>

APA Style

consternation. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 4th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/consternation

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