Synonym Chooser

How does the verb discomfit contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of discomfit are abash, disconcert, embarrass, and rattle. While all these words mean "to distress by confusing or confounding," discomfit implies a hampering or frustrating accompanied by confusion.

hecklers discomfited the speaker

When is abash a more appropriate choice than discomfit?

In some situations, the words abash and discomfit are roughly equivalent. However, abash presupposes some initial self-confidence that receives a sudden check, producing shyness, shame, or a feeling of inferiority.

abashed by her swift and cutting retort

When could disconcert be used to replace discomfit?

The synonyms disconcert and discomfit are sometimes interchangeable, but disconcert implies an upsetting of equanimity or assurance producing uncertainty or hesitancy.

disconcerted by finding so many in attendance

When can embarrass be used instead of discomfit?

The words embarrass and discomfit can be used in similar contexts, but embarrass implies some influence that impedes thought, speech, or action.

the question embarrassed her so much she couldn't answer

In what contexts can rattle take the place of discomfit?

While in some cases nearly identical to discomfit, rattle implies an agitation that impairs thought and judgment.

rattled by all the television cameras

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of discomfit The president’s actions appear to be a response to the market bloodbath — a discomfiting development for many Trump supporters who depend on union pension funds or 401(k) retirement accounts. Editorial, Boston Herald, 12 Apr. 2025 Their back-and-forth, shot in a single, discomfiting take spanning about 45 minutes—the entirety of Adolescence is shot in this unbroken manner—untangles why the teenager may have committed the crime. Paula Mejía, The Atlantic, 16 Apr. 2025 The city’s residents tired of D’Annunzio’s reckless rule, and his bellicose posturing and expansionist maneuvers discomfited the Italian monarchy. Richard Brody, New Yorker, 1 Apr. 2025 The enfolding tensions of late capitalism are shaped into a coherent yet discomfiting whole. Anelise Chen, The Atlantic, 25 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for discomfit
Recent Examples of Synonyms for discomfit
Verb
  • The men's families and supporters were frustrated with the pace of the hearing.
    Christina Hall, Freep.com, 31 July 2025
  • Not being able to offer a heart-lung transplant in Austin frustrates Fraser.
    Nicole Villalpando, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
Verb
  • Look, the Yankees didn’t embarrass themselves in a 4-2 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays at Yankee Stadium on Monday night.
    Brendan Kuty, New York Times, 29 July 2025
  • In the aftermath, the mother was angry for a week, accusing him of undermining her authority and embarrassing her in front of their social circle.
    Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 July 2025
Verb
  • Money terms and concepts continue to baffle people, many of whom are seeking answers through online searches.
    Russ Wiles, USA Today, 12 July 2025
  • Even with the other guys' admonitions not to, under any circumstances, be themselves, Dee and Charlie's improbable success in charming these scions of the Philly upper crust had the guys — and us — both baffled and anxiously awaiting an ugly twist.
    Dennis Perkins, EW.com, 10 July 2025
Verb
  • Baun’s ability to play on the line of scrimmage allowed defensive coordinator Vic Fangio to shift the front with Baun moving from off-ball to edge or vice versa right before the snap, confusing the blocking assignments for the offense.
    Ted Nguyen, New York Times, 23 July 2025
  • By 1915, scientists unearthed 2 million bones of large animals from La Brea, and a pattern emerged that both excited and confused them: too many predators.
    Ian Rose, JSTOR Daily, 23 July 2025
Verb
  • This fragmentary plot is haunted by disconcerting echoes of the second World War and the Holocaust.
    Celia Bell July 22, Literary Hub, 22 July 2025
  • Today’s analysis of facts and data reveals disconcerting results.
    John S. Tobey, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
Verb
  • Siegemund, 37, plays an unorthodox style of tennis that can leave opponents flustered.
    Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 8 July 2025
  • Golden State forced Clark into deep 3-point jumpers and flustered the visiting team with tenacious defense in the paint.
    Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 19 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Discomfit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/discomfit. Accessed 4 Aug. 2025.

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