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fluster

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verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb fluster contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of fluster are agitate, discompose, disquiet, disturb, perturb, and upset. While all these words mean "to destroy capacity for collected thought or decisive action," fluster suggests bewildered agitation.

his declaration of love completely flustered her

When might agitate be a better fit than fluster?

The words agitate and fluster can be used in similar contexts, but agitate suggests obvious external signs of nervous or emotional excitement.

in his agitated state we could see he was unable to work

When would discompose be a good substitute for fluster?

While in some cases nearly identical to fluster, discompose implies some degree of loss of self-control or self-confidence especially through emotional stress.

discomposed by the loss of his beloved wife

When could disquiet be used to replace fluster?

The synonyms disquiet and fluster are sometimes interchangeable, but disquiet suggests loss of sense of security or peace of mind.

the disquieting news of factories closing

When can disturb be used instead of fluster?

In some situations, the words disturb and fluster are roughly equivalent. However, disturb implies interference with one's mental processes caused by worry, perplexity, or interruption.

the discrepancy in accounts disturbed me

In what contexts can perturb take the place of fluster?

Although the words perturb and fluster have much in common, perturb implies deep disturbance of mind and emotions.

perturbed by her husband's strange behavior

When is upset a more appropriate choice than fluster?

While the synonyms upset and fluster are close in meaning, upset implies the disturbance of normal or habitual functioning by disappointment, distress, or grief.

the family's constant bickering upsets the youngest child

Thesaurus Entries Near fluster

Cite this Entry

“Fluster.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fluster. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

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