consternated

1 8.4

Feeling very surprised and worried by something unexpected

adjective
/ˈkɒnstərˌneɪtɪd/

Archaic

: consternado

The sudden change in plans left her feeling consternated and unsure of what to do next.

Examples

"Just what exactly are you shopping for, Sir?" asked our consternated copilot, hoping that whatever it was, it wasn't big and/or heavy.

Fiction book (1999)
He was consternated when he discovered that the meeting had been canceled without notice.
And Alice is, again, kind of consternated over what what's happening.
The consternated expression on her face showed that she had not expected the news.

Synonyms

worried

vsconsternated

∞ 1.0

Feeling nervous or upset about something that may go wrong

is sudden anxious confusion and dismay not steady concern

shocked

vsconsternated

519 2.1

Feeling surprised and upset because something bad or unexpected happens

emphasizes confused anxiety and dismay rather than only surprise

anxious

vsconsternated

230 2.7

Feeling worried or nervous about something that might happen

is more sudden and includes surprised confusion and dismay rather than ongoing worry

stunned

vsconsternated

197 3.0

Too shocked to move or think clearly

is about sudden anxious confusion rather than immobility or blankness

disturbed

vsconsternated

138 3.8

Feeling upset or worried and unable to think clearly

is a sudden reaction mixing confusion and dismay not long term unease

horrified

vsconsternated

103 2.8

Feeling very shocked and upset because something is terrible or frightening

is less intense and includes confusion and dismay after surprise

shaken

vsconsternated

95 2.7

Feeling upset and confused after a sudden bad event

is focused more on sudden anxious confusion than general upset

alarmed

vsconsternated

81 2.2

Suddenly afraid or worried because you think something bad might happen

is closer but shifts emphasis toward confused dismay rather than threat concern

startled

vsconsternated

75 3.3

Feeling sudden surprise and often jumping

is similar but focuses more on anxious confusion and dismay after surprise

wound up

vsconsternated

Informal

36 5.2

Feeling very nervous and unable to relax

is sudden anxious confusion and dismay rather than long lasting tension

dismayed

vsconsternated

31 4.3

Feeling shocked and disappointed when something unexpected happens

is similar but stresses confused anxiety more than plain disappointment

panicky

vsconsternated

21 4.1

Feeling sudden, strong fear that makes you act without thinking

is less extreme and emphasizes confused dismay rather than panic flight

perturbed

vsconsternated

11 6.4

Worried or upset because of something unexpected

is more sudden and mixes confusion with anxious dismay

confounded

vsconsternated

7 6.8

Feeling very confused and not able to understand something unexpected

is more sudden and involves immediate anxiety and dismay after surprise

flummoxed

vsconsternated

7 8.1

Not able to understand what is happening or what to do

is more about sudden anxious dismay rather than general bafflement

discombobulated

vsconsternated

Informal

6 9.9

Confused and unable to think clearly after something unexpected

puts more weight on sudden anxiety and dismay than mere confusion

stupefied

vsconsternated

5 7.0

Unable to think or react after a sudden shock

is more about sudden anxious dismay rather than blank inability

disconcerted

vsconsternated

4 6.9

Feeling confused and uneasy because something surprised you

is more anxious and shows clearer dismay after surprise

staggered

vsconsternated

4 4.4

Very surprised by something you did not expect

is calmer in fear but adds confusion and dismay to surprise

fazed

vsconsternated

4 6.5

Not showing surprise or worry when something unexpected happens

is stronger, involving sudden anxiety and confused dismay

upset

vsconsternated

2 2.5

Being in a state of disorder or confusion

is specifically a sudden anxious confusion and dismay rather than general turmoil

disquieted

vsconsternated

1 7.0

Feeling worried and uneasy about something

is a sharper sudden reaction with confused dismay rather than mild unease

terror-stricken

vsconsternated

1 7.7

Suddenly feeling very frightened

is milder focusing on confused dismay rather than overwhelming terror

horror-stricken

vsconsternated

1 7.2

Feeling very shocked and afraid after seeing something frightening

is about sudden anxiety and confusion rather than extreme terror

panic-struck

vsconsternated

1 7.5

Suddenly very afraid and unable to think clearly

is more about confused anxiety and dismay rather than complete panic

flurried

vsconsternated

1 7.4

Feeling nervous and hurried after something sudden happens

is about sudden anxious confusion from an unexpected cause rather than busyness

Antonyms

calm

680 1.0

Not showing strong feelings and being very still

untroubled

5 3.5

Calm and not worried about problems

How Alarmed

horrified

103 2.8

consternated

Archaic

1 8.4

startled

75 3.3

disconcerted

4 6.9

uneasy

92 3.2

Surface Forms

consternated positive

Morphology

consternated = consternate + consternation (semi-transparent) = consternate + ed

Formed from the verb 'consternate' with the adjectival/past-participial suffix '-ed', but the verb is rare and learners more often know the noun 'consternation', so the derivation is only partly obvious.

Etymology

Consternated comes from the old Latin word consternare, made of con- 'together' and sternare 'to throw down' or 'to lay flat'. Imagine being 'thrown flat' by a sudden shock, and that picture helps explain why consternated means feeling sudden worry, confusion, or dismay.