disconcert

dis·con·cert

transitive verb \ˌdis-kən-ˈsərt\

Definition of DISCONCERT

1

: to throw into confusion

2

: to disturb the composure of

— dis·con·cert·ing adjective

— dis·con·cert·ing·ly \-tiŋ-lē\ adverb

— dis·con·cert·ment \-mənt\ noun

Examples of DISCONCERT

1. News of his criminal past has disconcerted even his admirers.
2. <we were disconcerted by the unexpected changes to the program>

Origin of DISCONCERT

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

First Known Use: 1687

Related to DISCONCERT

Synonyms

abash, confound, confuse, discomfit, embarrass, discountenance, faze, fluster, mortify, nonplus, rattle

Related Words

agitate, bother, chagrin, discomfort, discompose, dismay, disquiet, distress, disturb, perturb, put off, put out, unhinge, unsettle, upset; debase, degrade, demean, humble, humiliate, queer, shame

Near Antonyms

calm, comfort, console, relieve, soothe; buoy, cheer, embolden, encourage, hearten; assure, reassure

See Synonym Discussion at embarrass

Rhymes with DISCONCERT

ambivert, bladderwort, bloody shirt, body shirt, butterwort, controvert, extrovert, feverwort, hobble skirt, in concert, inexpert, introvert, liverwort, malapert, miniskirt, mitrewort, moneywort, overshirt, overskirt, pennywort, polo shirt, red alert, Saint-John's-wort, spiderwort, tail covert, thoroughwort, undershirt, underskirt, wing covert