discompose

dis·com·pose

transitive verb \ˌdis-kəm-ˈpōz\

Definition of DISCOMPOSE

1

: to destroy the composure of

2

: to disturb the order of

— dis·com·po·sure \-ˈpō-zhər\ noun

Examples of DISCOMPOSE

1. <discomposed by the tone of the message left on his answering machine>
2. <the wind ruffled her hair and discomposed her carefully arranged papers>

Origin of DISCOMPOSE

Middle English

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to DISCOMPOSE

Synonyms

agitate, ail, alarm (also alarum), bother, concern, derail, discomfort, disturb, dismay, disquiet, distemper, distract, distress, exercise, flurry, frazzle, freak (out), fuss, hagride, perturb, undo, unhinge, unsettle, upset, weird out, worry

Antonyms

calm, compose, quiet, settle, soothe, tranquilize (also tranquillize)

Related Words

aggravate, anger, annoy, bug, chafe, chivy (or chivvy), exasperate, fret, gall, get, grate, harass, harry, irk, irritate, nettle, peeve, pester, pique, put off, put out, rile, vex; bedevil, haunt, plague; abash, confound, confuse, discomfit, disconcert, discountenance, embarrass, faze, fluster, jar, mortify, nonplus, rattle, shake up; daunt, demoralize, discourage, dishearten, dispirit, unnerve

Near Antonyms

allay, alleviate, assuage; appease, conciliate, mollify, pacify, placate, propitiate

Synonym Discussion of DISCOMPOSE

discompose, disquiet, disturb, perturb, agitate, upset, fluster 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>. disquiet suggests loss of sense of security or peace of mind <the disquieting news of factories closing>. disturb implies interference with one's mental processes caused by worry, perplexity, or interruption <the discrepancy in accounts disturbed me>. perturb implies deep disturbance of mind and emotions <perturbed by her husband's strange behavior>. agitate suggests obvious external signs of nervous or emotional excitement <in his agitated state we could see he was unable to work>. upset implies the disturbance of normal or habitual functioning by disappointment, distress, or grief <the family's constant bickering upsets the youngest child>. fluster suggests bewildered agitation <his declaration of love completely flustered her>.

Rhymes with DISCOMPOSE

Berlioz, cabbage rose, cellulose, c'est autre chose, China rose, Christmas rose, compass rose, counterpose, damask rose, decompose, diagnose, indispose, interpose, juxtapose, on the nose, panty hose, pettitoes, predispose, presuppose, pussytoes, recompose, shovelnose, superpose, support hose, swaddling clothes, thumb one's nose