Consternate

Part of speech: verb

Pronunciation: /ˈkɒn.stəɹ.neɪt/

Definitions

1. To make someone feel sudden and overwhelming shock or dismay
2. To fill a person with distress or surprise that causes confusion
3. To provoke a strong emotional reaction of anxiety or bewilderment in someone

Etymology: The verb comes from Latin "consternare," built from "con-," an intensifier, and "sternere," meaning "to spread out" or "to lay low." The Latin word had a physical sense, to throw something down or prostrate, and it was used of frightened animals scattering in a stampede. The idea of being thrown into disorder came first, and mental alarm grew out of it. The same root sits behind several familiar words. "Prostrate" means lying flat, and "street" descends from Latin "strata," a paved, spread-out road. "Stratum" is a spread-out layer of rock or soil. "Consternate" kept the sense of overwhelming disturbance and narrowed it to alarm and dismay.

Synonyms: confound, bewilder

Antonyms: calm, comfort