Standard Lemma guide

consternate

verb · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • /ˈkɒn.stəɹ.neɪt/
  • General-American: /ˈkɑn-/
  • Received-Pronunciation: /-stə-/
  • US: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.

1

verb

Meaning 1

To cause consternation in; to dismay.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

fill with anxiety, dread, dismay, or confusion

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • After the terrorist attack, people look consternated

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: frighten, fright, scare, affright

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

7 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • French: consterner — cause consternation in
  • German: bestürzen — cause consternation in
  • German: entsetzen — cause consternation in
  • German: Bestürzung hervorrufen — cause consternation in
  • Italian: costernare — cause consternation in
  • Portuguese: consternar — cause consternation in
  • Spanish: consternar — cause consternation in