disconcert

verb

dis·​con·​cert ˌdis-kən-ˈsərt How to pronounce disconcert (audio)
disconcerted; disconcerting; disconcerts

transitive verb

1
: to throw into confusion
disconcerting their plans
2
: to disturb the composure of
were disconcerted by his tone of voice
disconcerting adjective
disconcertingly adverb
disconcertment noun
Choose the Right Synonym for disconcert

embarrass, discomfit, abash, disconcert, rattle mean to distress by confusing or confounding.

embarrass implies some influence that impedes thought, speech, or action.

the question embarrassed her so much she couldn't answer

discomfit implies a hampering or frustrating accompanied by confusion.

hecklers discomfited the speaker

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

disconcert implies an upsetting of equanimity or assurance producing uncertainty or hesitancy.

disconcerted by finding so many in attendance

rattle implies an agitation that impairs thought and judgment.

rattled by all the television cameras

Examples of disconcert in a Sentence

News of his criminal past has disconcerted even his admirers. we were disconcerted by the unexpected changes to the program
Recent Examples on the Web Brandon also testified about the disconcerting drawing the shooter made on the math worksheet on the day of the shooting. Gina Kaufman, Detroit Free Press, 12 Mar. 2024 It’s been disconcerting over the past month to see editorials and opinion pieces at the Wall Street Journal -- the incubator of supply-side economics in the Jude Wanniski era of the 1970s -- downplay the importance of neutral cost recovery in our tax code. Ryan Ellis, National Review, 9 Feb. 2024 His recent column touting the improving economy, however, was disconcerting. Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 16 Jan. 2024 Though all the signals coming from the palace have been positive so far, the news is disconcerting. Tara John, CNN, 10 Feb. 2024 The stakes are immense not only for Buehler, but also for the Dodgers, who are counting on him and other pitchers with disconcerting medical histories such as Tyler Glasnow and James Paxton. Dylan Hernández, Los Angeles Times, 10 Feb. 2024 There’s a reason this feels unambiguously disconcerting compared to, say, Who? Vulture, 2 Feb. 2024 Though more circumspect in its public messaging, the White House is also disconcerted. Ishaan Tharoor, Washington Post, 16 Feb. 2024 Despite the disconcerting increase in fatalities, Naylor emphasized the consistency in the data, suggesting a need for further exploration. Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes, 14 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'disconcert.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

obsolete French disconcerter, alteration of Middle French desconcerter, from des- dis- + concerter to concert

First Known Use

1632, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of disconcert was in 1632

Dictionary Entries Near disconcert

Cite this Entry

“Disconcert.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disconcert. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

disconcert

verb
dis·​con·​cert ˌdis-kən-ˈsərt How to pronounce disconcert (audio)
1
: to disturb the arrangement of : upset
the unexpected event disconcerted their plans
2
: to disturb the self-control of
your frank stare disconcerted me
disconcertingly adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on disconcert

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