discompose

verb

dis·​com·​pose ˌdis-kəm-ˈpōz How to pronounce discompose (audio)
discomposed; discomposing; discomposes

transitive verb

1
: to destroy the composure of
2
: to disturb the order of
discomposure noun
Choose the Right Synonym for 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

Examples of discompose in a Sentence

discomposed by the tone of the message left on his answering machine the wind ruffled her hair and discomposed her carefully arranged papers
Recent Examples on the Web In a third discomposing show of baseball in as many days, the Brewers fell, 8-6, to the lowly A's, who looked like anything but in an emphatic weekend-long dismantling of a team that entered in first place. Journal Sentinel, 11 June 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'discompose.' 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

Middle English

First Known Use

1645, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of discompose was in 1645

Dictionary Entries Near discompose

Cite this Entry

“Discompose.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/discompose. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

discompose

verb
dis·​com·​pose ˌdis-kəm-ˈpōz How to pronounce discompose (audio)
1
: to disturb the calmness or peace of : agitate
discomposed by the bad news
2
: disarrange
hair discomposed by the wind
discomposure noun
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