Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

consternation

/ˌkɑn.s(t)ɚˈneɪ.ʃən/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: 2.81 in modern English

Syllables: con-ster-na-tion
IPA: /ˌkɑn.s(t)ɚˈneɪ.ʃən/

15

Scrabble Score

13

Letters

4

Syllables

9

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

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

Countable; Uncountable

Example Sentences

""Out!" exclaimed her husband, with something like genuine consternation in his voice."
"Their audience had been listening in increasing consternation."
"It was probably worth four millennia of consternation and regret."
"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."

Etymology

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

Origin

Source language: French

Word Breakdown

Root: *sterh₃-, consternation, consternātiō

Regional Pronunciation

American English: /ˌkɑn.s(t)ɚˈneɪ.ʃən/
British English: /ˌkɒn.stəˈneɪ.ʃən/

Usage

Inflected Forms

consternations (plural)

Frequently Paired Words

consternate

Synonyms

dismay alarm bewilderment dread

Antonyms

equanimity calm serenity satisfaction

Rhymes With

information education situation population station association administration operation organization nation location application

Questions

How do you pronounce consternation?: The recorded pronunciation is /ˌkɑn.s(t)ɚˈneɪ.ʃən/.
What does consternation mean?: Amazement or horror that confounds the faculties, and incapacitates for reflection; terror, combined with amazement; dismay.
Where does consternation come from?: It is traced to French.

How to pronounce consternation

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