FLUSTER Synonyms: 99 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'fluster' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of fluster are agitate , discompose , disquiet , disturb , perturb , and upset . While all these words mean "to destroy capacity for collected thought or decisive action," fluster suggests bewildered agitation. // his declaration of love completely flustered her

Q: When might 'agitate' be a better fit than 'fluster'?

The words agitate and fluster can be used in similar contexts, but agitate suggests obvious external signs of nervous or emotional excitement. // in his agitated state we could see he was unable to work

Q: When would 'discompose' be a good substitute for 'fluster'?

While in some cases nearly identical to fluster , discompose implies some degree of loss of self-control or self-confidence especially through emotional stress. // discomposed by the loss of his beloved wife

Q: When could 'disquiet' be used to replace 'fluster'?

The synonyms disquiet and fluster are sometimes interchangeable, but disquiet suggests loss of sense of security or peace of mind. // the disquieting news of factories closing

Q: When can 'disturb' be used instead of 'fluster'?

In some situations, the words disturb and fluster are roughly equivalent. However, disturb implies interference with one's mental processes caused by worry, perplexity, or interruption. // the discrepancy in accounts disturbed me

Q: In what contexts can 'perturb' take the place of 'fluster'?

Although the words perturb and fluster have much in common, perturb implies deep disturbance of mind and emotions. // perturbed by her husband's strange behavior

Q: When is 'upset' a more appropriate choice than 'fluster'?

While the synonyms upset and fluster are close in meaning, upset implies the disturbance of normal or habitual functioning by disappointment, distress, or grief. // the family's constant bickering upsets the youngest child

fluster 1 of 2

noun

Definition of fluster next

as in panic

a state of nervous or irritated concern all the yelling on the bus put the driver in a fluster

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in confusion

the emotional state of being made self-consciously uncomfortable there was a palpable fluster in the audience when I asked my awkward question

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

fluster

2 of 2

verb

ˈflə-stər

as in to embarrass

to throw into a state of self-conscious distress was flustered when her parents dragged out her baby pictures for her new boyfriend

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb fluster contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of fluster are agitate, discompose, disquiet, disturb, perturb, and upset. While all these words mean "to destroy capacity for collected thought or decisive action," fluster suggests bewildered agitation.

his declaration of love completely flustered her

When might agitate be a better fit than fluster?

The words agitate and fluster can be used in similar contexts, but agitate suggests obvious external signs of nervous or emotional excitement.

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

When would discompose be a good substitute for fluster?

While in some cases nearly identical to fluster, 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 could disquiet be used to replace fluster?

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

the disquieting news of factories closing

When can disturb be used instead of fluster?

In some situations, the words disturb and fluster are roughly equivalent. However, disturb implies interference with one's mental processes caused by worry, perplexity, or interruption.

the discrepancy in accounts disturbed me

In what contexts can perturb take the place of fluster?

Although the words perturb and fluster have much in common, perturb implies deep disturbance of mind and emotions.

perturbed by her husband's strange behavior

When is upset a more appropriate choice than fluster?

While the synonyms upset and fluster are close in meaning, 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 fluster

Noun

Olsen plays Joan’s indecision with winsome fluster, at first breathy and trembling but eventually finding her resolve. —

Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 8 Sep. 2025 The lanyard on our neighbor’s flagpole clanks in the wind, the fraying stars and stripes fluster and droop. —

Rosanna Warren, The Atlantic, 7 Sep. 2025

Verb

In the first half the Horned Frogs were successful in flustering the freshman. —

Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Jan. 2026 The run-in may have been awkward on-screen, but Franceschini wasn't flustered. —

Colleen Kratofil, PEOPLE, 19 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for fluster

Recent Examples of Synonyms for fluster

Noun

January’s nonfarm payrolls report and consumer price index, set to hit screens days after their original release dates , could re-instill confidence in the market following a recent bout of panic selling.

— Sarah Min, CNBC, 6 Feb. 2026
That level of panic is premature, experts say.

— Kaitlyn Huamani, Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2026

Definition of panic

Browse Nearby Words

flushness

fluster

flustered

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Fluster.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fluster. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.

Copy Citation

Last Updated: 12 Feb 2026 - Updated example sentences

Synonyms of fluster

noun

verb

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on fluster

More from Merriam-Webster

Can you solve 4 words at once?

Can you solve 4 words at once?

Word of the Day

vertiginous

Popular in Grammar & Usage

More Words You Always Have to Look Up

'Buck naked' or 'butt naked'?

What does 'etcetera' mean?

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

What’s the difference between ‘cemetery’ and ‘graveyard’?

Popular in Wordplay

16 Glee-ridden Words from Schitt's Creek

Did Orange the Fruit or the Color Come First?

Why Is the Letter ‘Z’ Associated With Sleeping?

The Words of the Week - Feb. 13

Why do we call it 'ides of March'?

Popular

More Words You Always Have to Look Up

16 Glee-ridden Words from Schitt's Creek

Did Orange the Fruit or the Color Come First?

Games & Quizzes