1
as in huffs
a state of nervous or irritated concern
all the yelling on the bus put the driver in a fluster
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in embarrassments
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
as in embarrasses
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
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 flusters
Mary Damiano, Miami Herald, 16 Feb. 2026
Verb
Nothing flusters her except dogs barking, and as the story unfolds the reason is easily surmised.
—Mary Damiano, Miami Herald, 16 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flusters
Noun
-
David walks out of the kitchen and Moira huffs and takes his spot over the pot.—
Sabrina Weiss,
PEOPLE,
31 Jan. 2026
-
As much as Payton bristles about media storylines and huffs about tempo questions, the Broncos went 25 minutes without a first down against Las Vegas.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
22 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The professional embarrassments even take place at the level of state supreme courts.—
Martin Kaste,
NPR,
3 Apr. 2026
-
That’s not only because judges are fining more lawyers for their laziness, but because the publicity about these embarrassments has been inescapable.—
Business Columnist,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Graft inquiry embarrasses Zelensky Ukraine’s National Anti-Corruption Bureau and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office said in a Telegram announcement that the investigation into Yermak is ongoing.—
Hanna Arhirova,
Los Angeles Times,
12 May 2026
-
Now the technology embarrasses an umpire even more than a player could, and what’s the recourse?—
Jim Alexander,
Oc Register,
4 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Before the Lost Weekend, John and Yoko had their New York Year — turning their personal confusions into beautifully vivid moments of rage and pain.—
Rob Sheffield,
Rolling Stone,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Nobody ever confuses two white NASCAR drivers!—
Zach Dean OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
11 May 2026
-
The odor masks the scent of animals' preferred vegetables and confuses insect pests, including aphids, carrot flies, cabbage worms and loopers, spider mites, thrips, and Japanese beetles.—
Barbara Gillette,
The Spruce,
3 May 2026
Noun
-
Keep scrolling below for more pairs of comfortable summer travel pants, including cozy sweats and casual capri pants under $30.—
Madeline Merinuk,
PEOPLE,
14 May 2026
-
She was arrested in a dramatic raid last fall and came to her first court appearance looking weak from liver failure and wearing sweats, a pair of glasses and her hair pulled back in an informal bun.—
Sharon Bernstein,
Sacbee.com,
14 May 2026
Noun
-
This 500-level event drew a smattering of US and Australia players, but was mostly competed by the core Asia contingent of pros and featured a slew of upsets and surprises along the way.—
Todd Boss,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2026
-
Georgia Democrats are also looking to build off of November 2025 general election results that saw two challengers flip seats on the state's Public Service Commission with about 63% of the vote in landslide upsets.—
Stephen Fowler,
NPR,
18 May 2026
Verb
-
Welcome to a Monday Nightcaps — the one where Paige Spiranac gears up for the PGA Championship with her mom and rattles America's cage.—
Zach Dean OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
11 May 2026
-
His comments come as consumer sentiment in the US continued to decline this month, hitting a record low as the ongoing closure of the Strait of Hormuz rattles global energy markets.—
Mustafa Qadri,
CNN Money,
8 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Flusters.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flusters. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
