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Vocabulary Builder — Essay & Answer Writing

Consternation

noun / kon-stuhr-NAY-shun / Hard
Meaning

A feeling of anxiety, dismay, or troubled bewilderment, often arising from sudden alarming news.

Origin / Etymology

From Latin 'consternatio' — 'con-' (with, intensifier) + 'sternere' (to strike down). Originally meant 'a striking down with fear'.

Synonyms
Dismay Alarm Trepidation
Antonyms
Composure Equanimity Reassurance
Example Sentence
"The US State Department's May 28, 2026 designation of Brazil's Comando Vermelho and PCC as Foreign Terrorist Organisations caused consternation in Brasília, with President Lula calling it 'interference' weeks before the October presidential election."
🎯 UPSC Usage

GS2 IR: Use for diplomatic reactions, sovereignty concerns, and policy shocks. Less hyperbolic than 'outrage', more measured than 'concern'.

Relevant Subjects
International Relations
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