consternate

[ kon-ster-neyt ]

verb (used with object)

, con·ster·nat·ed, con·ster·nat·ing.

1. to dismay, confuse, or terrify.

consternate

/ ˈkɒnstəˌneɪt /

verb

1. tr; usually passive to fill with anxiety, dismay, dread, or confusion

Other Words From

• un·conster·nated adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of consternate¹

1645–55; < Latin consternātus, past participle of consternāre to unsettle, throw into confusion, perhaps intensive derivative of consternere to cover, spread (with) ( con- con- + sternere to strew; stratum ), though sense development uncertain

Word History and Origins

Origin of consternate¹

C17: from Latin consternāre, from sternere to lay low, spread out

Example Sentences

St. John cuts a striking figure onscreen but he brings a low-key focus to Buford, coming off more as a consternated neighborhood leader than a fiery radical.

From Los Angeles Times

Wade listed a number of federal agents — with the FBI, the Postal Service, and the FDA — that Rosendorff had been in a room with, and seemed consternated that Rosendorff didn’t remember all their names.

From The Verge

President Martin Vizcarra said on Twitter that he was “consternated” by Garcia’s death, and sent his condolences to his family members.

From Reuters

Indeed, we have become so collectively consternated that a 2016 analysis led by the World Health Organisation estimated that, without more treatment, 12bn working days will be lost because of anxiety each year.

From The Guardian

Sometimes I became so consternated when I woke up to the reality of my weaknesses that I scrambled to the computer in order to escape all over again.

From Los Angeles Times