4 syllables: Con, stern, a, tion. Stress on a.
kahn-stur-NAY-shuhn
/ˌkɑnstɚˈneɪʃən/
Consternation is pronounced kahn-stur-NAY-shuhn (/ˌkɑnstɚˈneɪʃən/). It has four syllables (Con-stern-a-tion), with the stress on "a". Consternation is a feeling of sudden anxiety or dismay, typically caused by something unexpected. It often implies shock and bewilderment, with a sense of alarm that disrupts composure. The term can refer to a momentary reaction or a more sustained state of consternation in response to troubling news or a surprising event.
nounConsternation is a feeling of sudden anxiety or dismay, typically caused by something unexpected. It often implies shock and bewilderment, with a sense of alarm that disrupts composure. The term can refer to a momentary reaction or a more sustained state of consternation in response to troubling news or a surprising event.
"The announcement caused widespread consternation among employees."
"She looked at the tangled map in consternation, unsure which way to go."
"There was consternation in the crowd when the lights flickered and went out."
Pronounce it as /ˌkɒn.stəˈneɪ.ʃən/ in British English and /ˌkɑn.stɚˈneɪ.ʃən/ in American English. The stress falls on the third syllable: con-ster-NA-tion. Begin with ‘kawn’ (but not a full ‘awn’), then a weak ‘stuh’ syllable, then a clear ‘NAY’ followed by a light ‘shun’ for the final syllable. Try to keep the final /ən/ light and quick. For audiovisual reference, search pronunciation videos labeled for consternation in standard American and British pronunciations.
Common errors include misplacing stress (saying con-STERN-ation) or turning the middle syllable into a full vowel rather than a schwa. Also, speakers sometimes de-emphasize the final -tion, mispronouncing it as -tion rather than -sən. To correct: keep the primary stress on the third syllable, use a relaxed /ə/ for the second syllable, and finish with a crisp /ʃən/. Listening to native models and practicing the exact IPA sequence helps solidify accuracy.
In US English, you’ll hear /ˌkɑn.stɚˈneɪ.ʃən/ with rhotic r and a more rhotacized second syllable; in UK English, /ˌkɒn.stəˈneɪ.ʃən/ with a shorter, non-rhotic r-like quality and a lighter /ə/ in the second syllable; Australian English aligns with US patterns but with Australian vowel qualities and a somewhat tighter /ə/ in the second syllable. The main variants are the rhoticity of /ɹ/ and the vowel quality of /ɒ/ vs /ɒ/ in British vs American; the /neɪ/ and final /ʃən/ remain consistent.
It challenges speakers with a multi-syllabic rhythm and three distinct vowel sounds across syllables: a stressed /ə/ (or /ɚ/ in rhotic accents), the long /neɪ/ vowel, and the final /ən/ reduced to a light schwa. The cluster /nst/ near the onset of the second syllable requires precise tongue placement to avoid blending. Also, the contrast between /ˌkɒn/ or /ˌkɑn/ and /stə/ can cause mistiming. Practicing the exact IPA sequence helps prevent common slippage.
Is there a silent element in 'Consternation' due to spelling? No. All letters contribute to the phonetic sequence /ˌkɒn.stəˈneɪ.ʃən/; there is no silent letter. The consonant cluster nt in the second syllable is fully articulated, and the final -ation is pronounced as /-neɪ.ʃən/ with a light, unstressed ending. The critical features are the third-syllable stress and the /neɪ/ vowel preceding the /ʃən/ ending.
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Consternation comes from the Latin consternatio(n-), from consternare ‘to terrify, frighten, terrify by throwing into confusion,’ which itself comes from com- ‘together’ + sternare ‘to spread out, lay low’ (literally to throw down). The Middle English adoption borrowed the term in the 15th century, initially reflecting a state of confusion and alarm in the face of danger. Over time, the nuance shifted toward a sudden, overwhelming fear or dismay at troubling news or shocking events. In scholarly usage, consternation often connotes a temporary, reactive distress rather than long-term anxiety, though it can describe a more prolonged state when events continue to surprise or destabilize. The word’s form remains stable across time, with the noun typically functioning as an abstract state or emotion. Its first known uses are recorded in Latin-derived texts that later influenced English legal and literary language, eventually appearing in its modern sense in early modern prose and drama. Today, consternation is commonly found in journalism, fiction, and academic discussions where a reaction to unforeseen circumstances is described with emotional intensity and immediacy.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Consternation" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "Consternation"
-ion sounds
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