YOUR VOCABULARY, ONE WORD AT A TIME

consternation

Noun

IPA /ˌkɒnstəˈneɪʃn/

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Meaning in plain English

A strong feeling of shock and worry caused by something unexpected.

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Pronunciation

consternation/ˌkɒnstəˈneɪʃn/

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The last train has gone
What will we do now?

Consternation is shocked worry after an unwelcome surprise.

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To our consternation, the last train had already left.
The sudden loss of the project files caused consternation in the office.

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To our ________, the last train had already left.

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consternation — A strong feeling of shock and worry caused by something unexpected.

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A strong feeling of shock and worry caused by something unexpected.

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Word origin

From Latin consternatio, related to consternare, meaning to terrify or throw down.

Did you know?

To someone's consternation introduces an event that causes shocked concern.

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