feelings of anxiety or dismay, often at something unexpected
example
Her sudden resignation caused consternation among her colleagues, who were not expecting such a drastic decision.
synonyms
dismayanxietyalarm
word origin — from Latin 'consternatio', meaning 'a throwing down, a disturbing' from 'consternare' which means 'to throw down, to confuse'.
consternation, brilliance, pathology, reproach, flood: meanings and examples
Learn these 5 words from TOEFL Vocabulary set 113. Each entry includes a definition, example sentence, pronunciation, and synonyms. Use the interactive cards above to practice them.
consternation · noun/ˌkɑnstərˈneɪʃən/
feelings of anxiety or dismay, often at something unexpected
Her sudden resignation caused consternation among her colleagues, who were not expecting such a drastic decision.
Synonyms: dismay, anxiety, alarm
Origin: from Latin 'consternatio', meaning 'a throwing down, a disturbing' from 'consternare' which means 'to throw down, to confuse'.
brilliance · noun/ˈbrɪljəns/
exceptional brightness or intensity of light or intellect
The brilliance of the sunset took our breath away with its vibrant colors spreading across the sky.
Synonyms: radiance, brightness, intelligence
Origin: from Latin 'brilliantia' meaning 'brightness, splendor' derived from 'brillare' meaning 'to shine'
pathology · noun/pəˈθɑːlədʒi/
the study of the nature of diseases and the changes they cause in body tissues and organs
The researchers conducted a thorough examination of the pathology of the disease to better understand its effects on the body.
Synonyms: disease study, pathobiology
Origin: from the Greek 'pathologia', which combines 'pathos' meaning 'suffering' and 'logia' meaning 'study' or 'discourse'.
reproach · verb/rɪˈproʊtʃ/
to express disapproval or disappointment towards someone
She decided to reproach him for his careless mistakes during the presentation.
Synonyms: rebuke, scold, chastise
Origin: Middle English, from Old French 'reprochier', based on Latin 'reprochare', meaning 'to cast back' or 'to bring back.'
flood · noun/flʌd/
an overflow of water onto land that is normally dry
The heavy rains caused a sudden flood in the nearby town, leading to significant damage to homes.
Synonyms: deluge, inundation, torrent
Origin: Old English 'flōd', of Germanic origin; related to Dutch 'vloed' and German 'Flut'.