discompose

verb

ˌdis-kəm-ˈpōz How to pronounce discompose (audio)
Definition of discomposenext
1
as in to disturb
to trouble the mind of; to make uneasy discomposed by the tone of the message left on his answering machine

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to disrupt
to undo the proper order or arrangement of the wind ruffled her hair and discomposed her carefully arranged papers

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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
  1. disturb
  2. disrupt
  3. bother
  4. confuse
  5. distract
  6. shuffle
  7. worry
  8. alarm
Verb
  • Stay on marked trails, pack all your trash, and respect wildlife (do not feed or disturb them).
    — Emese Maczko, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2025
  • In his State of the State speech Wednesday, Pritzker argued the current moment has disturbing parallels to the rise of Adolf Hitler in Germany.
    — Alex Thompson, Axios, 21 Feb. 2025
Definition of disturb
Verb
  • Every year, earthquakes claim victims and cost billions in direct economic loss, damaging or destroying homes, tearing down infrastructure, rendering production sites inoperable, and disrupting transport lines.
    — David Bressan, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025
  • Early on, Democratic Representative Al Green was escorted out of the House chamber after disrupting Trump’s speech by shouting and shaking his cane in the air.
    — Rosemary Feitelberg, WWD, 5 Mar. 2025
Definition of disrupt
Verb
  • Gathering at Scripps Research’s third annual Pandemic Preparedness Symposium last week, researchers working in virology and chemistry did not bother to debate whether or not H5N1 avian influenza will clear this rapidly shrinking hurdle.
    — Paul Sisson, The Mercury News, 3 Mar. 2025
  • The obvious motive The administration hardly bothered to pretend that Brown (whose distinguished military and academic career includes a masters’ degree in in aeronautical science from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach).wasn’t fired for being Black.
    — Orlando Sentinel and South Florida Sun Sentinel Editorial Boards, Orlando Sentinel, 28 Feb. 2025
Definition of bother
Verb
  • Not to be confused with New Zealand musical comedy duo Flight of the Conchords.
    — Erik Kain, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2025
  • Along those lines, a settlement should not be confused with a collective bargaining agreement, which pro teams and unionized employees extinguish or mollify a broader range of potential claims.
    — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 28 Feb. 2025
Definition of confuse
Verb
  • Have we been distracted too much by all the verbal fireworks this season from CK, Phillip, and Seychelle to notice that Lete is an absolute assassin out there?
    — Dalton Ross, EW.com, 5 Mar. 2025
  • Grave screamed for help, but security personnel were distracted by the game and not paying attention, the lawsuit said.
    — Louis Casiano, Fox News, 4 Mar. 2025
Definition of distract
Verb
  • The Sharks shuffled their lines before the start of the third period.
    — Curtis Pashelka, The Mercury News, 4 Mar. 2025
  • At the glitzy afterparty, stars shuffled through a packed room.
    — Jay Stahl, USA TODAY, 3 Mar. 2025
Definition of shuffle
Verb
  • Twenty-two percent worry about the potentially dangerous consequences of messing up, such as plumbing leaks or electrical problems.
    — Kristine Gill, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Mar. 2025
  • How to Get Around With most of Grenada's hotels and resorts clustered around areas like Grand Anse Beach and St. George's, many visitors won't need to worry about transportation for most of their trip.
    — Carley Rojas Avila, Travel + Leisure, 9 Mar. 2025
Definition of worry
Verb
  • Reports that Paramount Global is considering a financial settlement on the Trump federal lawsuit have alarmed journalists within CBS News and beyond.
    — Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 19 Feb. 2025
  • But his approach to doing so has alarmed many U.S. allies, as his administration recently opened up talks with Russia and signalled openness to peace talks that could potentially embolden Russian President Vladimir Putin and sideline Ukraine.
    — Alexandra Hutzler, ABC News, 4 Mar. 2025
Definition of alarm

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Cite this Entry

“Discompose.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/discompose. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.

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