discomfit

verb

dis-ˈkəm(p)-fət How to pronounce discomfit (audio)
Definition of discomfitnext
1
as in to frustrate
to prevent from achieving a goal constant interruptions discomfited her in her attempt to finish the speech, and she finally gave up

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to embarrass
to throw into a state of self-conscious distress he was discomfited by the awkward situation of having his ex-girlfriend meet his current one

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 His views, possibly as discomfiting for some in his party as his internet history, seem almost optimized for social media virality. — Clarence Page, Chicago Tribune, 15 June 2026 Josh O’Connor and Emily Blunt are his overwhelmed disciples, imbued with discomfiting powers that could be key to making contact with these otherworldly guests. — Eliana Dockterman, Time, 10 June 2026 Scenes are rendered with an diorama-esque economy of mise en scene that feels unreal, almost game-like — an aesthetic met with meaning in the film’s final act — and Nagahisa and Takeda take every opportunity to present the city from a different, often discomfiting angle. — Blake Simons, IndieWire, 26 Jan. 2026 More generally, Europeans' personal happiness levels have seemingly gravitated away from church and children, the traditional sources of meaning, and toward a discomfiting positive correlation with the size of a nation's welfare state. — MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for discomfit
Recent Examples of Synonyms for discomfit
  1. frustrate
  2. embarrass
  3. baffle
  4. confuse
  5. disconcert
  6. fluster
Verb
  • Belgium looked limited and frustrated, with Leandro Trossard and Youri Tielemans heading into the second-half hydration break in the middle of an angry argument.
    — Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 5 July 2026
  • Its young people are increasingly educated and ambitious but many are frustrated over fierce competition for limited jobs.
    — Ayushi Shah, CNN Money, 4 July 2026
Definition of frustrate
Verb
  • The Chicago White Sox, a team many left for dead at the start of the year, embarrassed the Kansas City Royals Friday night, 22-1.
    — Zach Dean OutKick, FOXNews.com, 27 June 2026
  • But combined with Disney‘s embarrassing The Mandalorian and Grogu influencer stunt that backfired, a movie’s first reactions on social media are increasingly being met with equal amounts of fan skepticism.
    — James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 26 June 2026
Definition of embarrass
Verb
  • His focus on the voting bill, instead of signing one that tackles a top issue for voters, has left some GOP strategists baffled.
    — David Hickey, NBC news, 2 July 2026
  • Keith played conservative social climber Margo Leadbetter, who is baffled by her neighbor Tom's sustainability-centric lifestyle with wife Barbara Good (Felicity Kendal).
    — Edward Segarra, USA Today, 29 June 2026
Definition of baffle
Verb
  • That is important because a boxy robotaxi that can drive both ways may confuse pedestrians, cyclists or other drivers.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026
  • One of the biggest mistakes students make is confusing a loan approval with an affordability recommendation.
    — Scott White, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
Definition of confuse
Verb
  • Still, the boy was disconcerted during his first sessions in early June, said his mother, Tricia LaBrasca.
    — Grant Stringer, Mercury News, 18 June 2026
  • In the finale, Matthew’s scenes with K Callan, who plays Ruth, are really disconcerting.
    — Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 18 June 2026
Definition of disconcert
Verb
  • He was flustered when he originally was left off the team when it was announced on July 6, 2025.
    — Dan Hayes, New York Times, 4 July 2026
  • The Germans dominated the match after the break but struggled to break down Paraguay’s defense as the South Americans once again assumed the compact defending that had flustered Turkey and Australia in the opening group stage.
    — Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 29 June 2026
Definition of fluster

Browse Nearby Words

discombobulations
discomfit
discomfited
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Cite this Entry

“Discomfit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/discomfit. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on discomfit

Nglish: Translation of discomfit for Spanish Speakers

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