consternate

[ kon-ster-neyt ]
/ ˈkɒn stərˌneɪt /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR consternate ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object), con·ster·nat·ed, con·ster·nat·ing.

to dismay, confuse, or terrify.

Origin of consternate

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; cf. stratum), though sense development uncertain

OTHER WORDS FROM consternate

un·con·ster·nat·ed, adjective

Words nearby consternate

constatation, constative, constellate, constellation, conster, consternate, consternation, constipate, constipated, constipation, constituency

Words related to consternate

frighten, alarm, shock, confuse, unnerve, horrify, daunt, scare, terrify

Example sentences from the Web for consternate

  • If we were to disarm, as these ladies advise, war would come upon us with consternate suddenness.

    Defenseless America |Hudson Maxim

British Dictionary definitions for consternate

consternate
/ (ˈkɒnstəˌneɪt) /

verb

(tr; usually passive) to fill with anxiety, dismay, dread, or confusion

Word Origin for consternate

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