Definition of discomposenext
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Synonym Chooser

How does the verb discompose contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of discompose are agitate, disquiet, disturb, fluster, perturb, and upset. While all these words mean "to destroy capacity for collected thought or decisive action," discompose implies some degree of loss of self-control or self-confidence especially through emotional stress.

discomposed by the loss of his beloved wife

When would agitate be a good substitute for discompose?

Although the words agitate and discompose have much in common, agitate suggests obvious external signs of nervous or emotional excitement.

in his agitated state we could see he was unable to work

When can disquiet be used instead of discompose?

The synonyms disquiet and discompose are sometimes interchangeable, but disquiet suggests loss of sense of security or peace of mind.

the disquieting news of factories closing

Where would disturb be a reasonable alternative to discompose?

The words disturb and discompose are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, disturb implies interference with one's mental processes caused by worry, perplexity, or interruption.

the discrepancy in accounts disturbed me

When could fluster be used to replace discompose?

In some situations, the words fluster and discompose are roughly equivalent. However, fluster suggests bewildered agitation.

his declaration of love completely flustered her

In what contexts can perturb take the place of discompose?

While in some cases nearly identical to discompose, perturb implies deep disturbance of mind and emotions.

perturbed by her husband's strange behavior

When is upset a more appropriate choice than discompose?

The words upset and discompose can be used in similar contexts, but upset implies the disturbance of normal or habitual functioning by disappointment, distress, or grief.

the family's constant bickering upsets the youngest child

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 discompose In a third discomposing show of baseball in as many days, the Brewers fell, 8-6, to the lowly A's, who looked like anything but in an emphatic weekend-long dismantling of a team that entered in first place. Journal Sentinel, 11 June 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for discompose
Verb
  • Mist the soil instead of overhead watering, which can disturb the seeds.
    Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 14 Feb. 2026
  • Managing the genetic health of such a small population is essential for the species’ long-term viability, and the hair-collection method offers a noninvasive way to gather vital data without disturbing the wombats in their burrows.
    Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 13 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Corvus Robotics says the system can operate during active warehouse shifts without disrupting workflows.
    Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 10 Feb. 2026
  • The West Coast sunlight would disrupt the concert feel that most halftime shows have, Cuddeford said.
    Itzel Luna, Los Angeles Times, 10 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Andrew Musgrave crossed the finish line in cross-country skiing today in a tank top, and the cold didn’t seem to bother him one bit.
    Andrew Greif, NBC news, 13 Feb. 2026
  • My damp clothes didn’t bother either one of us.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 13 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • The citizens of Texas are confusing hospitality for complacency.
    Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
  • To give my permission to be sad, to be angry, to be confused.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 11 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • They were seen by the clergy, for example, to be distracted by chocolate, drinking it and gossiping instead of paying attention to mass.
    Dana Taylor, USA Today, 13 Feb. 2026
  • State transportation officials argued that street art is distracting and can pose a risk to drivers.
    Susannah Bryan, Sun Sentinel, 11 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • The race for Los Angeles mayor has been in an extraordinary state of flux, with the candidate lineup shuffling and reshuffling in the final days before the filing deadline.
    David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2026
  • The Moore administration has chosen the opposite approach, doubling down on spending while shuffling money around in a game of three-card monte.
    J.B. Jennings, Baltimore Sun, 5 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • The Pentagon worries that an expanding Chinese arsenal could be a prelude to invading Taiwan or an attempt to beat America's missile defenses, Panda said.
    Geoff Brumfiel, NPR, 11 Feb. 2026
  • Other recent departures underscore the tension between some researchers worried about safety and top executives eager to generate revenue.
    Allison Morrow, CNN Money, 11 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Their habitats were ransacked, their migration routes disarranged, truncated, cut off.
    Matthew Gavin Frank, Harper's Magazine, 21 Oct. 2022

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Cite this Entry

“Discompose.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/discompose. Accessed 17 Feb. 2026.

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