How do you use the word "consternation" in a sentence?

Q: How do you use the word "consternation" in a sentence?

Here are real-life examples of using "consternation": He looked at me with consternation, saying that he must put a comma somewhere. I learned with consternation that my fears had come to pass.

Consternation Meaning

/ˌkɒn.stəˈneɪ.ʃən/

Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.

Definition

nounAmazement or horror that confounds the faculties, and incapacitates for reflection; terror, combined with amazement; dismay.

Sentence Examples

He looked at me with consternation, saying that he must put a comma somewhere.

I learned with consternation that my fears had come to pass.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms:

alarm

Antonyms:

None

CEFR Practice Quiz

The sudden drop in stock prices caused widespread ____ among investors.

CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)

To his absolute ____, he opened his wallet and discovered that all his physical cash was missing.

Word Origin & History

From French consternation, from Latin consternātiō. By surface analysis, consternate + -ion.

Literary Quotations & Historical Citations

""Out!" exclaimed her husband, with something like genuine consternation in his voice." — 1899, Kate Chopin, The Awakening:

"Their audience had been listening in increasing consternation." — 2003, Terrance Dicks, Barry Letts, chapter 17, in Deadly Reunion:

"It was probably worth four millennia of consternation and regret." — 2006 February 27, Chuck Klosterman, “Invention's New Mother”, in Esquire, archived from the original on 20 Jul 2019:

"And privately, some European officials are sharing mounting consternation over the U.S. conduct of the Iran war that they say with each passing week is moving further away from the international rules of engagement and values that underpin the NATO alliance." — 2026 April 5, Howard LaFranchi, “Trump’s war in Iran puts new strain on alliances. Why this time it’s different.”, in The Christian Science Monitor, Boston, Massachusetts: Christian Science Publishing Society, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 06 Apr 2026:

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