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 But with 95 games remaining, their season hinges on a disconcerting number of maybes. Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 June 2025 Trump’s and Musk’s retaliatory tit for tat also raises the disconcerting possibility of disrupting other SpaceX-centric parts of U.S. space plans, many of which are seen as critical for national security. Lee Billings, Scientific American, 5 June 2025 Their behavior was disconcerting in a way that only made sense later. Deborah Baker june 3, Literary Hub, 3 June 2025 Congress’s infatuation with China was disconcerting, along with the lack of understanding of how economically intertwined the US and China are. Brendan Ahern, Forbes.com, 8 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for disconcert
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disconcert
Verb
  • And best of all, no one could possibly be embarrassed by these empathetic words.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 21 June 2025
  • Alyssa seems terrified but doesn’t embarrass herself.
    Chris Feil, Vulture, 20 June 2025
Verb
  • The man is Jack Ryan, not to be confused with the Jack Ryan dreamed up by Tom Clancy.
    Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 30 June 2025
  • There are at least eight varieties of Lambrusco grapes (not to be confused with Vitis labrusca of North America), of which the best known, oldest and most abundant is Lambrusco di Sorbara.
    John Mariani, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025
Verb
  • Golden State forced Clark into deep 3-point jumpers and flustered the visiting team with tenacious defense in the paint.
    Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 19 June 2025
  • This means they are not flustered by travel and seem to flourish no matter the surface or circumstances.
    Danny Brewer, Forbes.com, 12 June 2025
Verb
  • Failure to negotiate deals or further postpone the tariffs could once again rattle investors and consumers.
    Elaine Kurtenbach, Chicago Tribune, 30 June 2025
  • The high tariffs China and the U.S. imposed on each other's goods rattled markets as American consumers faced higher prices on a wide array of products, like car seats and clothing, while American farmers feared Chinese consumers would buy fewer of their now more expensive food exports.
    Danielle Kurtzleben, NPR, 27 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Disconcert.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disconcert. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.

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