consternation noun - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and usage notes | Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary at OxfordLearnersDictionaries.com

Definition of consternation noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

consternation

noun
 
/ˌkɒnstəˈneɪʃn/
 
/ˌkɑːnstərˈneɪʃn/
 [uncountable] (formal)
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  1. a worried, sad feeling after you have received an unpleasant surprise synonym dismay
    • The announcement of her retirement caused consternation among tennis fans.
    • Her mouth fell open in consternation.
    Extra Examples
    • Many greeted his resignation with consternation.
    • She stared at me in consternation.
    • The announcement created surprise and consternation.
    • The thought of meeting him filled me with consternation.
    • There is some consternation among business leaders.
    • He couldn't help feeling some consternation when he saw the programme.
    Topics Feelingsc2
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • considerable
    • great
    • widespread
    • …
    verb + consternation
    • cause
    • create
    • fill somebody with
    • …
    preposition
    • in consternation
    • consternation  among
    See full entry
    Word Originearly 17th cent.: from Latin consternatio(n-), from the verb consternare ‘lay prostrate, terrify’.
See consternation in the Oxford Advanced American Dictionary
Check pronunciation: consternation

Nearby words

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adjective
 
 
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