Consternating

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. Producing a strong feeling of worry or distress that unsettles the mind
2. Inducing a sense of alarm and confusion in response to an unexpected event
3. Creating a state of unease or sudden concern due to surprising or troubling circumstances

Etymology: "Consternating" is the present participle of "consternate," so its real story belongs to that verb. "Consternate" comes from Latin "consternare," which combined "con-" (an intensive, "thoroughly") with "sternere," to strike down or prostrate, so the original image is of something knocking a person flat. Its sense of being thrown into confusion or dismay grew from that physical blow. The verb was borrowed into English in the 17th century, and the adjective form built from it has kept the same meaning: something that unsettles a person deeply and leaves them unable to think clearly. The word's root "sternere" also gave English "prostrate" and "stratum," which share that old idea of things laid down or flattened.

Synonyms: alarming, distressing, troubling, unsettling, disconcerting

Antonyms: reassuring, calming, soothing, comforting, settling