disconcert

verb

ˌdis-kən-ˈsərt How to pronounce disconcert (audio)
Definition of disconcertnext
as in to embarrass
to throw into a state of self-conscious distress we were disconcerted by the unexpected changes to the program

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb disconcert contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of disconcert are abash, discomfit, embarrass, and rattle. While all these words mean "to distress by confusing or confounding," disconcert implies an upsetting of equanimity or assurance producing uncertainty or hesitancy.

disconcerted by finding so many in attendance

When is it sensible to use abash instead of disconcert?

The meanings of abash and disconcert largely overlap; 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 can discomfit be used instead of disconcert?

The words discomfit and disconcert can be used in similar contexts, but discomfit implies a hampering or frustrating accompanied by confusion.

hecklers discomfited the speaker

When would embarrass be a good substitute for disconcert?

In some situations, the words embarrass and disconcert are roughly equivalent. However, embarrass implies some influence that impedes thought, speech, or action.

the question embarrassed her so much she couldn't answer

When might rattle be a better fit than disconcert?

Although the words rattle and disconcert have much in common, 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 disconcert Having all your workplace mistakes available for all to see on a state-run database would certainly be disconcerting to most of us, a violation of our rights of privacy. —The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 8 Aug. 2025 Behind Hudson on the depth chart, however, the tackle depth chart is disconcerting. —Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 6 Aug. 2025 The rapidly changing dynamics of Bastrop are disconcerting to a lot of locals who want to retain the small-town feel. —Karoline Leonard, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025 The release of Google's Veo 3 video generator in May represented a disconcerting leap in AI video quality. —ArsTechnica, 2 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for disconcert
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disconcert
  1. embarrass
  2. confuse
  3. fluster
  4. rattle
Verb
  • Good, because there is one Duck — Justin Herbert — who will happily embarrass them.
    — Troy Renck, Denver Post, 18 Sep. 2025
  • The team that embarrassed the Rams at SoFi Stadium in November.
    — Adam Grosbard, Oc Register, 18 Sep. 2025
Definition of embarrass
Verb
  • Maybe Aer Lingus got confused when refunding your ticket.
    — Christopher Elliott, Mercury News, 20 Sep. 2025
  • That would be Black Rabbit, not to be confused with another Netflix original drama, Black Doves.
    — Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
Definition of confuse
Verb
  • McCarthy was having some trouble doing so to start this game, as the Bears’ defense, led by new coordinator Dennis Allen, was drawing up the right pressures to fluster the young signal caller.
    — Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 9 Sep. 2025
  • But Brozena was not flustered, winning 16 and 18 to end the match.
    — Boston Herald staff, Boston Herald, 15 Aug. 2025
Definition of fluster
Verb
  • Shut your bedroom door or use a towel to prevent rattling.
    — Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Sep. 2025
  • Instead of being deep fried, pig skins are crisped up on the pit and chopped into shards that deliver an incredible punch of smoke beneath each jaw-rattling crunch.
    — Robert F. Moss, Southern Living, 17 Sep. 2025
Definition of rattle

Browse Nearby Words

discomposures
disconcert
disconcerted
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Disconcert.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disconcert. Accessed 22 Sep. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on disconcert

Nglish: Translation of disconcert for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Using Bullet Points ( • )

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Putting Adjectives in the Right Order

A Guide to Using Semicolons
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 3

Color Words to Describe Autumn Leaves

Our Best Historical Slang Terms

And So It Begins: 9 Words for Beginnings

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE
See More

Popular

See More

Using Bullet Points ( • )

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 3

Color Words to Describe Autumn Leaves
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
vector image of a face with thought expression
Commonly Confused Words Quiz Take a (break/brake) and (pore/pour) over this (c...
See All