deep consternation

USAGE SUMMARY

"deep consternation" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used to describe a strong feeling of anxiety, confusion, or dismay. Example: The news of the company's bankruptcy caused deep consternation among the employees, who were unsure of their job security.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

(The figure was so high it prompted deep consternation among non-game-theory political scientists).

The New York Times - Magazine

By contrast, the appearance of Jonathan Littell's Wagnerian, horror-suffused reconstruction of Hitler's doomed eastern campaign, The Kindly Ones, provokes deep consternation.

The Guardian - Books

In Germany, the archbishop of Munich, Reinhard Marx, said Catholic bishops in Benedict's home state of Bavaria felt "deep consternation and shame" at the reports of abuse.

The Guardian

The Federal Reserve's use of $29bn in public money to guarantee JP Morgan's rescue of Bear Stearns has caused deep consternation and has kept cartoonists busy.

The Guardian - Business

For many years, the tracks of the Long Island Rail Road, and then the ribbon of the Long Island Expressway, served as a flight route, to the deep consternation of the people living below.

The New York Times

But while Mr. Turner's competitiveness in the race has been seen as an indicator of deep consternation about Mr. Obama in a heavily Democratic district, the candidates' back-and-forth focused only minimally on the president.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

While most reserved their deepest consternation over the cinematography and editing snubs, "Green Book" director Peter Farrelly threw in support for the hairstyling and makeup nominees as well.

Los Angeles Times

The deep, ongoing consternation over touch-screen machines stems from something new: the unpredictability of computers.

The New York Times - Magazine

Then at one exquisite moment in 1972, when porn theaters had not yet been made obsolete by the video revolution, the two most popular films in the country were "The Godfather" and "Deep Throat," to widespread consternation.

The New York Times - Arts

Mr. Dold, as Democrats understand with equal consternation, is a deep-pocketed rival whose relentless cheer and willingness to press his case aggressively with skeptics may help him persuade voters disenchanted with the dismal state of the Illinois economy.

The New York Times

JERUSALEM — Israel and the United States tested a new air-defense system on Tuesday morning, launching a missile from deep in the Mediterranean Sea that caused consternation in Syria and Russia given the heightened tension in the region as the Obama administration weighs a military strike in Syria.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "deep consternation" when you want to emphasize a strong sense of anxiety, dismay, or confusion caused by a particular event or situation. It's best suited for formal or serious contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "deep consternation" in casual conversations or informal writing. Simpler terms like "worry", "concern", or "disappointment" are more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "deep consternation" functions as a noun phrase, where 'deep' intensifies the feeling of 'consternation'. Ludwig's examples show it describing the degree of worry or dismay caused by specific events or situations.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "deep consternation" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig. It is most appropriately employed in neutral to formal contexts, such as news reports and business communications, to express a strong sense of anxiety, dismay, or confusion. While not as common as simpler alternatives, it effectively conveys the intensity of emotional responses to specific events, with Ludwig providing real-world examples from authoritative sources to illustrate its usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

profound dismay

Focuses more on disappointment and discouragement rather than anxiety.

intense anxiety

Shifts the focus to a state of worry and nervousness.

great alarm

Emphasizes a sense of immediate danger or threat.

serious apprehension

Highlights a feeling of unease about future events.

acute disquiet

Stresses a feeling of restlessness and disturbance.

grave concern

Underlines the seriousness of the worry.

utmost trepidation

Focuses on fear and hesitation.

deep misgivings

Highlights feelings of doubt or suspicion.

extreme perturbation

Emphasizes mental disturbance and agitation.

profound unease

Highlights a general sense of discomfort and anxiety.

FAQs

How can I use "deep consternation" in a sentence?

Use "deep consternation" to describe a state of intense anxiety or dismay. For example, "The sudden policy change caused "deep consternation" among the stakeholders."

What phrases are similar to "deep consternation"?

Alternatives include "profound dismay", "intense anxiety", or "great alarm", each emphasizing different aspects of worry or concern.

Is "deep consternation" appropriate for all contexts?

No, "deep consternation" is best suited for formal or serious contexts. In informal settings, consider using words like "worry" or "concern".

What's the difference between "deep consternation" and "mild concern"?

"Deep consternation" signifies a much stronger emotional response involving significant anxiety and confusion, whereas "mild concern" suggests a lighter, less intense level of worry.