consternation

USAGE SUMMARY

"consternation" is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is a noun that describes a state of surprise, confusion, or dismay. For example: "The audience expressed their consternation after the announcement was made."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The Greens' former national chair Penny Kemp, who is now the party's communications chief, said it had to be the party's "No 1 priority" to get Lucas re-elected, and denied there would be any consternation from other Green candidates.

The Guardian

David Cameron's appearance on Chris Evans's Radio 2 breakfast show has caused consternation at the BBC, with senior figures within the corporation unaware that the prime minister was booked to appear.

The Guardian

Results suggested there may be as much as 158 million barrels of oil per square mile, causing consternation for critics of extreme energy extraction.

The Guardian

Labour might have held on to Heywood and Middleton in Thursday's byelection, but Liz McInnes's narrow victory ought to cause serious consternation within the party.

The Guardian

Rising rents have also boosted returns in recent years, to the consternation of the campaign group Generation Rent.

The Guardian - Money

In fact, the Mirrenised, which is to say the ever more idealised monarch of public wishfulness, may partly account for the consternation, last week, when the publication of a group photograph of the holders of her Order of Merit suggested that the Queen is not, after all, much of a feminist.

The Guardian - Opinion

Fifty years on and the miniskirt is still causing consternation, and now faces a ban in Britain's schools.

The Guardian

This may cause outrage and consternation among those of strong nationalist opinions in the Republic but the coalition will be hoping that a majority in Middle Ireland might hold their noses and vote yes on the new treaty because the alternative is even more unthinkable.

The Guardian

Job creation has been growing all year – but, much to the consternation of many economists, the jobs being created are heavily part-time and low-paid.

The Guardian - Business

It is not just interest rates for homebuyers and those looking to remortgage that have been coming down – the cost of new buy-to-let mortgages for landlords has also been tumbling, to the consternation of first-time buyers competing with investors for a home.

The Guardian - Money

Tsipras, who made an official visit to Moscow in April to discuss the project, has made improved ties with the fellow Orthodox state a central plank of his two-party coalition's foreign policy – much to the consternation of the EU.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "consternation" when you want to convey a sense of bewildered alarm or dismay, often in response to an unexpected and negative event. It's stronger than simple surprise or disappointment.

Common error

Avoid using "consternation" when the situation warrants a milder term like "disappointment" or "surprise". "Consternation" implies a significant level of distress or confusion.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "consternation" is that of a noun. It typically functions as the subject or object of a sentence, representing a state of dismay or alarm. Ludwig confirms that is a usable word in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Consternation" is a noun denoting a state of dismay and alarm, often triggered by unexpected and negative occurrences. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a grammatically correct and frequently used term, especially in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts. While similar to "dismay" and "alarm", it carries a stronger sense of bewilderment. When using this term, ensure the context warrants a significant level of distress and avoid confusing it with milder emotions like simple disappointment. "Consternation" serves to effectively convey a notable negative emotional response, making it a valuable tool in various forms of writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

dismay

A simpler term focusing on disappointment and discouragement.

alarm

Emphasizes a sense of fear and apprehension.

shock

Highlights the sudden and unexpected nature of the feeling.

trepidation

Suggests a feeling of fear or anxiety about what may happen.

anxiety

Focuses on worry and nervousness.

apprehension

Similar to anxiety but often related to anticipating something negative.

perturbation

Implies a disturbance of one's composure.

disquiet

Suggests a feeling of worry or unease.

panic

Highlights sudden uncontrollable fear or anxiety.

horror

Emphasizes extreme fear or revulsion.

FAQs

How to use "consternation" in a sentence?

You can use "consternation" to describe a feeling of alarm and dismay, for example: "The announcement was met with widespread "consternation"." or "To the "consternation" of the team, they lost the game."

What can I say instead of "consternation"?

You can use alternatives like "dismay", "alarm", or "shock" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "consternation" and "disappointment"?

"Consternation" implies a stronger reaction than simple "disappointment". It suggests a mix of anxiety, confusion, and alarm, whereas "disappointment" is primarily sadness over unmet expectations.

Is "consternation" formal or informal?

"Consternation" is generally considered a neutral to formal term, suitable for use in news reports, formal writing, and business communications. It's less common in everyday informal conversation.