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 And disconcerting moments are in the show, such as the larger-than-life black widow spiders that dangle from the ceiling. Dewayne Bevil, Orlando Sentinel, 19 Feb. 2025 The fact all these acquisition titles are leaving snail tracks in their quests for distributors to bring them to theaters or streaming services is disconcerting, for sure. Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 2 Feb. 2025 That text message turned out to be the first in a series of disconcerting messages friends and family members would apparently receive from Michael Shaver over the course of the next two and a half years. Paige Harriss, ABC News, 10 Jan. 2025 Russia was becoming more closed, and this was disconcerting for a generation that had grown up in a modernized and relatively open society. Andrei Kolesnikov, Foreign Affairs, 15 Oct. 2024 See All Example Sentences for disconcert
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disconcert
Verb
  • Mariah Carey just pulled a classic mom move by embarrassing her teenage son in front of his friends.
    Mitchell Peters, Billboard, 5 Apr. 2025
  • The leaking was intended to embarrass Bork, whose nomination was ultimately rejected by the U.S. Senate albeit for reasons unrelated to his rental list.
    Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 20 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Hippler said in the new order bringing more attention to it in opening statements and through expert testimony would add more time to the already lengthy trial and probably confuse the jury.
    Jean Casarez, CNN Money, 18 Apr. 2025
  • Snakeheads are often confused with a native species—the bowfin—but anglers can tell them apart by looking at the anal fin, which is much longer on a snakehead.
    Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Zmuda flustered Kaufman, throwing him off his rhythm, leading to more awkward silence and melancholy.
    Jason Zinoman, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
  • As for defense, Mission Hills flustered the hosts, forcing 17 turnovers.
    Don Norcross, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • The move has rattled economists, manufacturers, and security experts.
    Stephanie Hanes, Christian Science Monitor, 18 Apr. 2025
  • Stocks in the value and dividends category put on strong performances in March, as uncertainty around President Donald Trump’s tariff policy rattled the major averages, Bank of America found.
    Darla Mercado, CFP®, CNBC, 15 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Disconcert.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disconcert. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.

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