consternation

IPA/ˌkɒnstəˈneɪʃn/
KK[kˌɑnstɚnˈeʃən]IPA/ˌkɑːnstərˈneɪʃn/

consternation — noun

1. A strong and sudden feeling of fear or anxiety that comes when something unexpec

1.名詞C1
釋義

A strong and sudden feeling of fear or anxiety that comes when something unexpected and upsetting happens.

例句

To the consternation of the staff, the company announced sudden layoffs just before the holidays.

pattern: 'to the consternation of [someone]' for public reaction

Feng filled out the forms with growing consternation as he realized his passport was missing.

同義詞
  • dismay

    focuses more on discouragement and sadness than shock

  • alarm

    implies a stronger sense of fear or danger

  • confusion

    emphasises the mental disorientation rather than the emotional distress

反義詞
  • calm

    a state of quiet composure, the opposite of anxious shock

  • composure

    the ability to remain in control of your feelings

文法句型

consternation at [noun/gerund]

to [possessive] consternation

with consternation

用法筆記

Uncountable noun — always singular. Frequently appears in fixed phrases such as 'to one's consternation' and 'with consternation', which signal the subject's emotional reaction to an event.

常見錯誤

❌The news caused great consternations among the villagers.
✅The news caused great consternation among the villagers.
💡consternation is uncountable and has no plural form.