Consternation vs. Surprise — What's the Difference?
Difference Between Consternation and Surprise
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Definitions
Consternation
A state of great alarm, agitation, or dismay.
Surprise
To cause to feel wonder, astonishment, or amazement, as at something unanticipated
Thinking I was at home, she was surprised to see me in the office. We were surprised that he could recover so quickly.
Consternation
Amazement or horror that confounds the faculties, and incapacitates for reflection; terror, combined with amazement; dismay.
Surprise
To encounter or discover suddenly or unexpectedly; take or catch unawares
She surprised him as he was reading her diary.
Consternation
Amazement or horror that confounds the faculties, and incapacitates for reflection; terror, combined with amazement; dismay.
The chiefs around,In silence wrapped, in consternation drowned.Attend the stern reply.
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Surprise
To attack or capture suddenly and without warning
Surprised the sentries in a predawn raid, wounding several.
Consternation
Fear resulting from the awareness of danger
Surprise
To cause (someone) to do or say something unintended or to be in an unintended condition
"There passed a scene ... that surprised me into courage to come forward" (Fanny Burney).
Surprise
To elicit or detect through surprise
"She occasionally surprised a look on Jemima's face" (Marcia Willett).
Surprise
The act of surprising or the condition of being surprised
Imagine my surprise on seeing you here.
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Surprise
Something, such as an unexpected encounter, event, or gift, that surprises.
Surprise
Something unexpected.
It was a surprise to find out I owed twice as much as I thought I did.
Surprise
The feeling that something unexpected has happened.
Imagine my surprise on learning I owed twice as much as I thought I did.
Surprise
(transitive) To cause (someone) to feel unusually alarmed or delighted by something unexpected.
It surprises me that I owe twice as much as I thought I did.
Surprise
(transitive) To do something to (a person) that they are not expecting, as a surprise.
He doesn’t know that I’m in the country – I thought I’d turn up at his house and surprise him.
Surprise
(intransitive) To undergo or witness something unexpected.
He doesn’t surprise easily.
Surprise
(intransitive) To cause surprise.
Surprise
(transitive) To attack unexpectedly.
Surprise
(transitive) To take unawares.
Surprise
The act of coming upon, or taking, unawares; the act of seizing unexpectedly; surprisal; as, the fort was taken by surprise.
Surprise
The state of being surprised, or taken unawares, by some act or event which could not reasonably be foreseen; emotion excited by what is sudden and strange; a suddenly excited feeling of wonder or astonishment.
Pure surprise and fearMade me to quit the house.
Surprise
Anything that causes such a state or emotion.
Surprise
A dish covered with a crust of raised paste, but with no other contents.
Surprise
To come or fall suddenly and unexpectedly; to take unawares; to seize or capture by unexpected attack.
Fearfulness hath surprised the hypocrites.
The castle of Macduff I will surprise.
Who can speakThe mingled passions that surprised his heart?
Surprise
To strike with wonder, astonishment, or confusion, by something sudden, unexpected, or remarkable; to confound; as, his conduct surprised me.
I am surprised with an uncouth fear.
Up he starts,Discovered and surprised.
Surprise
To lead (one) to do suddenly and without forethought; to bring (one) into some unexpected state; - with into; as, to be surprised into an indiscretion; to be surprised into generosity.
Surprise
To hold possession of; to hold.
Not with me,That in my hands surprise the sovereignity.
Surprise
The astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you
Surprise
A sudden unexpected event
Surprise
The act of surprising someone
Surprise
Cause to be surprised;
The news really surprised me
Surprise
Come upon or take unawares;
She surprised the couple
He surprised an interesting scene
Surprise
Attack by storm; attack suddenly
